Title: Management of waste organic matters and residential used water for culture and biomass production of red worm (Tubifex tubifex)

Authors: Ravendra Kumar Singh, Vivek. R. Vartak, Sugandha L. Chavan, Ajay S. Desai, Punam A. Khandagale, Bhavesh T. Sawant, Pravin H. Sapkale

Addresses: Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India. ' Taraporevala Marine Biological Research Station, New Administrative Building, 3rd Floor, Govt. Colony, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India

Abstract: The efficacy of red worm (Tubifex tubifex) for converting organic wastes like pig dung, poultry excreta and dairy sludge into worm biomass production was investigated. For this purpose, three experiments each for pig dung, poultry excreta and dairy sludge were conducted in cement trenches for 90 days duration. The poultry excreta produced maximum biomass (126.53 ± 2.16 g), followed by the pig dung (99.47 ± 2.07 g) and dairy sludge (10.09 ± 2.55 g). Waste water discharged from residential area was used for circulation in experimental trenches.

Keywords: Tubifex tubifex; organic wastes; ecofriendly; anaerobic; worm biomass; waste management; red worms; pig dung; poultry excreta; dairy sludge; residential wastewater.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.029698

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.140 - 151

Published online: 01 Dec 2009 *

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