Published Paper Details:

The increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO?) is a major cause of global climate change (Falkowski et al., 2008). The metabolic versatility and ecological ubiquity of microorganisms play a central role in natural carbon cycling and offer promising eco-friendly solutions for CO? sequestration (Falkowski et al., 2008; Lal, 2008). This article explores the various microbial mechanisms involved in CO? capture and storage, including photoautotrophy, chemolithoautotrophy, carbonate mineralization, and the formation of stable soil organic matter through microbial biomass turnover (Liang et al., 2017; De Muynck et al., 2010). Photoautotrophic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and microalgae fix atmospheric CO? using light energy, forming the base of aquatic food webs and contributing significantly to oceanic and freshwater carbon sinks (Raven & Beardall, 2016). In contrast, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria like Nitrosomonas and Thiobacillus utilize energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds to assimilate CO?, functioning effectively in subsurface and extreme environments (Canfield et al., 2010). Another significant pathway involves microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), where microbes facilitate the conversion of CO? into stable mineral forms such as calcium carbonate (De Muynck et al., 2010). Additionally, heterotrophic microbes contribute to carbon stabilization by producing necromass that binds with soil minerals, forming long-lived soil organic carbon (Liang et al., 2017; Schmidt et al., 2011). The potential of microbial CO? sequestration is vast, especially in enhancing soil carbon stocks and supporting ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and water retention (Lal, 2008; Schmidt et al., 2011). However, environmental variability, microbial respiration, and challenges in measuring long-term sequestration remain major limitations (Schmidt et al., 2011). This paper reviews current knowledge, practical applications, and future directions in utilizing microbial systems for climate mitigation.