Title: Development of a novel epigeic-anecic-based polyculture vermireactor for efficient treatment of municipal sewage water sludge

Authors: Surindra Suthar

Addresses: Environmental Biology Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, S.G.N. Khalsa (PG) College, Sri Ganganagar-335 00, India

Abstract: The potential of vermireactors, based on polyculture and monoculture system, was evaluated by using substrate consisted of domestic sewage sludge mixed with sugarcane trash, under laboratory conditions. Polyculture reactor was designed by using an epigeic (Eisenia fetida) and an anecic (Lampito mauritii) species of earthworm, while monoculture reactor had E. fetida only. Comparatively the end product i.e., vermicompost obtained from polyculture reactor showed the better concentration of nutrients and lower metal levels than monoculture reactor. Polyculture vermirector showed greater dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass N, possibly related to the better microclimatic conditions in it. Results indicate that the polyculture vermireactor, especially designed by using at least one burrowing earthworm (endogeic or anecic) not only accelerates the mineralisation process, but at the same time also enhances the microbial activities in reactor.

Keywords: C:N ratio; cocoons; earthworms; Eisenia fetida; heavy metals; Lampito mauritii; monoculture; polyculture vermireactors; sewage sludge; vermistabilisation; waste management; wastewater treatment; municipal sewage; microbial activities; biomass.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2008.016994

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.84 - 101

Published online: 03 Feb 2008 *

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