Unveiling the important roles of sludge worms (Tubifex tubifex) in wetland carbon and nitrogen cycling: Implications for greenhouse gas emissions in a warming climate
Ho, L.; Pham, K.; Debognies, A.; Bode, S.; Vermeir, P.; Boeckx, P.; De Vrieze, J.; Goethals, P. (2026). Unveiling the important roles of sludge worms (Tubifex tubifex) in wetland carbon and nitrogen cycling: Implications for greenhouse gas emissions in a warming climate. Wat. Res. 291: 125230. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.125230
In: Water Research. Elsevier: Oxford; New York. ISSN 0043-1354; e-ISSN 1879-2448, more
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| Author keywords |
Bioturbation;Functional genes;Benthic fauna;Denitrification;Methanogenesis;Redox conditions;coenzyme-m reductase;fresh-water;temperature-dependence;intertidal sediments;n2o production;mechanisms;community;genes |
| Authors | | Top |
- Ho, L.
- Pham, K., more
- Debognies, A.
- Bode, S., more
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- Vermeir, P.
- Boeckx, P.
- De Vrieze, J., more
- Goethals, P.
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| Abstract |
Wetland greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions represent a major component of global climate feedbacks, driven by complex biogeochemical processes that regulate carbon and nitrogen cycling. However, how bioturbating invertebrates, such as sludge worms (Tubifex tubifex), regulate these underlying microbial and physicochemical mechanisms remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted controlled microcosm incubations at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C to examine how increasing temperatures modulate the influence of these sludge worms on wetland carbon and nitrogen cycling, combining biogeochemical flux measurements with microbial functional gene analysis. We discovered four synergistic mechanisms by which T. tubifex influences wetland biogeochemistry: 1) physical bioturbation creating distinct biogeochemical conditions; 2) respiratory and feeding activities modifying redox conditions; 3) specialized gut microbiomes directly producing GHGs; and 4) continuous microbial inoculation of sediments through excretion. These mechanisms collectively enhanced CH4 and N2O emissions, with N2O fluxes showing a fourfold increases at elevated temperatures. Worm gut microbiomes were primarily regulated by temperature, organic matter, and nitrogen compounds, with the main controlling factors shifting from nutrient |
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