Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiuren Hu, Tong Zhang, Ganpei Tian, Limin Zhang, Bo Bian
Summary: The new method of sludge vermicomposting offers advantages in efficiency, time, area coverage, and cost, resulting in a more stable and mature compost product.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Doorgha Ragoobur, Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga, Geeta Devi Somaroo
Summary: This study demonstrates that sewage sludge contaminated with microplastics can be safely remediated through vermicomposting, with minimal effects on earthworms and chemical properties. In fact, the presence of microplastics may even result in a reduction in cadmium content in the vermicompost compared to the control group. The biodegradation of microplastics during vermicomposting also indicates a potential for environmental remediation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ru Fang, Xiaojing Liu, Zhipeng Zheng, Baoyi Lv, Jie Wang, Yinglong Su, Bing Xie, Dong Wu
Summary: This paper reviews recent studies on the occurrence and dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in food waste (FW) and discusses the inputs, outputs, and spread of ARGs by vermicomposting. The analysis shows that ARGs and their major hosts can be effectively reduced and eliminated in earthworm guts due to increased bacterial fitness cost and earthworm immune responses. Measures such as agricultural waste co-composting and enforced aeration can improve removal performance and enhance the quality of compost end-products.
REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kari Ylivainio, Alma Lehti, Johannes Jermakka, Hanne Wikberg, Eila Turtola
Summary: The study found that the relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) of phosphorus in nutrient-rich residues varies with different chemical characteristics, with pig manure showing the highest RAE and digested and composted sewage sludges having lower RAE. Alternative wastewater treatment processes are needed to increase the potential for phosphorus recycling.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bayu Dume, Ales Hanc, Pavel Svehla, Pavel Michal, Abraham Demelash Chane, Abebe Nigussie
Summary: Although sewage sludge contains pollutants, it can enhance soil fertility and be made safe for use on food crops through pre-composting and vermicomposting. More research is needed to determine the effects of different carbon-to-nitrogen ratios on the feasibility and quality of composting and vermicomposting of sewage sludge.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ales Hanc, Bayu Dume, Tereza Hrebeckova
Summary: The study focused on profiling eight hydrolytic enzymes during composting and vermicomposting of sewage sludge mixed with straw pellets in different proportions, using a fluorescence method. The results indicated that adding straw could accelerate the production of mature compost, while enzymatic activity was lower in vermicomposting, and vermicompost from fresh feedstock had less microbial biomass.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sergio Siqueira Amorim Junior, Valeria Sun Hwa Mazucato, Beatriz dos Santos Machado, Denilson de Oliveira Guilherme, Reginaldo Brito da Costa, Fernando Jorge Correa Magalhaes Filho
Summary: The study evaluates the agronomic potential of biosolids in nutrient recycling, finding that it meets the nutritional needs of crops and conforms to legal requirements, based on the analysis of inorganic contaminants and emerging organic pollutants.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andreia F. Santos, Paula Alvarenga, Margarida J. Quina, Licinio M. Gando-Ferreira
Summary: This study aims to discuss the production of valuable organic-rich fertilizer using sewage sludge from a circular economy perspective. The results indicate that the levels of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus in sewage sludge are suitable for agronomic valorization, but some potentially toxic metals may exceed legal limits. Additionally, the raw sewage sludge negatively affects the germination phase of plants, highlighting the need for stability treatment.
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdol Rasoul Jafarzadeh Ghahdarijani, Mehran Hoodaji, Arezoo Tahmourespour
Summary: The effect of vermicomposting on the chemical properties of sewage sludge was investigated and the results showed that it significantly reduced the number of coliforms and concentrations of toxic metals Ni, Cr, and Pb, while increasing the organic carbon percentage and nitrogen content of the sludge.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Bayu Dume, Ales Hanc, Pavel Svehla, Pavel Michal, Abraham Demelash Chane, Abebe Nigussie
Summary: Vermicomposting can reduce the content of potential toxic elements (PTEs) in sewage sludge, and the accumulation of PTEs in earthworm tissues depends on feed quality. Mixing sewage sludge with pelletized wheat straw effectively decreases the content of PTEs. The mixture with 75% pelletized wheat straw shows the best performance in reducing PTEs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Ali Zazouli, Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi, Jamshid Yazdani Charati, Abbas Ahmadnezhad, Amir Hossein Mahvi, Hosseinali Asgharnia
Summary: The study found that the population of parasites decreased with increasing vermicomposting time, and the highest reduction was achieved with a mixture of sewage sludge and cow dung combined with sawdust. Different compostable materials showed significant differences in parasite reduction, while the presence or absence of earthworms did not have a significant impact. The bio-transformed product from this process can be used as effective fertilizer.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Asad Bin Zaman, Md Atoar Rahman, Iqbal Mahmud, Hridoy Roy, Sirajul Hoque, Md Jashim Uddin, Md Mominur Rahman
Summary: In this study, a six-week experiment was conducted on vermicomposting of textile sludge spiked with cow dung, using the epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida. The researchers examined the effects of different earthworm population densities (40, 80, and 120 earthworms/kg dry substrate) on earthworm characteristics and substrate metal content. The results showed that high population densities led to increased cocoon or egg production, but also hindered hatchling production and adult growth. The particle size of the substrate decreased with higher population densities, and all final substrates except the lowest populated one had a C/N ratio lower than 20. The change in metallic contents in the substrates was inversely related to the population density. Overall, while higher population densities favored the physicochemical properties of the substrate, they had negative effects on the biological activities of earthworms.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jurate Zaltauskaite, Inesa Kniuipyte, Marius Praspaliauskas
Summary: The study found that earthworms can help reduce heavy metal content in sewage sludge and increase soil fertility. Earthworms can stabilize soil pH and accelerate organic matter mineralization, which helps reduce pollutant levels. The most effective remediation and soil quality improvement were achieved under doses of 25-50 Mg ha-1.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Kevin R. Butt, Siobhan M. Quigg
Summary: Long-term studies have shown that a diverse community of earthworms has developed in the soil of a former steelworks site, which was reclaimed using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge. The earthworms colonized the site from adjacent areas, and the community structure and density in areas covered with willow, birch, and grassland were not significantly different from those in unspoiled areas. Additionally, the historical earthworm inoculation was deemed unnecessary and poorly timed, providing valuable lessons for future reclamations of similar sites.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bayu Dume, Ales Hanc, Pavel Svehla, Pavel Michal, Abraham Demelash Chane, Abebe Nigussie
Summary: This study investigated the carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions during sewage sludge composting and vermicomposting with different proportions of straw pellets. The results showed that the mixing ratio of pelletized wheat straw significantly influenced the emissions, with vermicomposting reducing CH4 emissions and increasing CO2 emissions. Additionally, the use of pelletized wheat straw as a mixing agent decreased both CO2 and CH4 emissions compared to the control group without straw pellets.