Unlocking the Dual Potential of Marine Microbes: Synergistic Bio-Cementation for Coastal Resilience and Methane Mitigation for Climate Stability

Climate change and coastal erosion represent two of the most pressing global environmental challenges, threatening biodiversity, infrastructure, and communities. Conventional engineering approaches for shoreline protection and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation are typically implemented independently. In contrast, marine microbes present a novel, dual-function strategy capable of concurrently addressing both issues. Through microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, ureolytic and other calcifying microorganisms enhance shoreline stability by binding sediment particles. Simultaneously, aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophic communities oxidize methane (CH4), a potent GHG, before it reaches the atmosphere. Emerging research reveals synergistic biochemical linkages between these processes; carbonate precipitation can restrict methane diffusion pathways, while CH4 oxidation can alter local geochemistry to favor calcite formation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial bio-cementation and CH4 mitigation in marine environments, critically examining recent advances in bio-augmentation, bio-stimulation, and engineered microbial delivery systems. We integrate molecular insights, highlighting key functional gene markers (e.g., ureC, pmoA, mcrA, dsrAB), with applied research to bridge genetic, ecological, and engineering perspectives for scalable field applications. We identify critical gaps in mechanistic understanding, environmental compatibility, and long-term efficacy, alongside policy barriers. Finally, we propose pathways for integrating these microbial processes into Blue Carbon accounting, coastal management frameworks, and climate adaptation policies. By conceptualizing microbial consortia as dynamic, living infrastructure, this review outlines a transformative approach for climate-resilient coastal protection that synergistically couples sediment stabilization with GHG mitigation.