Abstract: The material cycling at the sediment-water interface is primarily affected by the redox processes of iron and manganese oxides and microorganisms. Microbial redox processes usually occur in the periplasm space and the outer membrane of cells or are mediated by nanowire and conductive biofilms between cells. Recently, the long-distance electron transport mediated by cable bacteria has been discovered in different environments, which extended the known length of electron transport from nanometer scale to centimeter scale. In this paper, we provide an overview of current understanding on the physiological characteristics of cable bacteria and their influences on material cycling at the sediment-water interface, then summarize the potential environmental significance of cable bacterial activities, and finally propose the future research perspectives in this field. Cable bacteria are frequently found in marine sediments with high sulfide content, high conductivity and less bioturbation. However, it is rarely observed in freshwater sediments. Sulfide oxidization mediated by cable bacteria is an inverse process of sulfate reduction, resulting in alkalization of the surface sediments. In addition, cable bacteria can use various electron acceptors for sulfide oxidation, which gives them a strong competitive advantage over other microorganisms. Generally, cable bacteria oxidize H₂S and FeS into sulfate using O₂ as electron acceptor. This process generates a firewall of iron oxides in surface sediments, which can efficiently sequestrate phosphorus in porewater and prevent other material release. Besides, the metabolism of cable bacteria can affect nitrogen cycling by indirectly promoting dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) through iron sulfide dissolution. In future, it is necessary to study the effects of cable bacteria on sediment material cycling and their cooperative relationship with other microbe communities at micro-scale. Moreover, it is necessary to develop the pure culture technology of cable bacteria and its application in the remediation of sulphur-contaminated sediments to provide technical support for future water ecological environment protection.