Microbial processes in concrete as anthropogenic biogeochemical ecosystems: biodeterioration mechanisms and biotechnological strategies

Abstract Concrete infrastructures function as anthropogenic biogeochemical ecosystems in which microbial communities interact with hydrated cement matrices across complex physicochemical gradients. While physical and chemical degradation pathways have been widely investigated, the contribution of environmentally derived microorganisms to long-term concrete performance remains comparatively under-integrated within durability frameworks. Microbial colonization, biofilm development, and metabolically driven transformations can substantially modify local pH, redox conditions, and mineral stability. In aggressive environments, such processes may accelerate deterioration through mechanisms such as microbially induced concrete corrosion (MICC), leading to matrix destabilization, reinforcement corrosion, and reduced service life. Conversely, controlled microbial activity offers emerging environmental biotechnological opportunities, including microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), bio-based self-healing, and microstructural refinement through biomineralization pathways. Recent advances in modelling highlight the potential to integrate microbial, chemical, and transport processes, although biological contributions remain poorly represented. This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial-concrete interactions across diverse anthropogenic environments, including sewer networks, marine infrastructures, buildings and bridges, nuclear power plants, and deep geological repositories (DGR). Particular emphasis is placed on ecological selection processes, biogeochemical mechanisms driving material transformation, and biotechnological strategies aimed at monitoring, mitigating, or harnessing microbial activity within cementitious systems. By integrating environmental microbiology, geochemistry, materials science, and biotechnology, this work identifies unifying metabolic pathways, critical knowledge gaps, and future research directions for the development of more resilient and environmentally sustainable cement-based infrastructures.