title: Vermistabilization of sewage sludge (biosolids) by earthworms: converting a potential biohazard destined for landfill disposal into a pathogen-free, nutritive and safe biofertilizer for farms.
abstract: Earthworms feed readily upon sludge components, rapidly converting them into vermicompost, reduce the pathogens to safe levels and ingest the heavy metals. Volume is significantly reduced from 1 m³ of wet sludge (80% moisture) to 0.5 m³ of vermicompost (30% moisture). Earthworms have real potential both to increase the rate of aerobic decomposition and composting of organic matter and also to stabilize the organic residues in the sludge--removing the harmful pathogens (by devouring them and also by discharge of antibacterial coelomic fluid) and heavy metals (by bio-accumulation). They also mineralize the essential nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the sludge. It may not be possible to remove toxic substances completely, but at least change the 'chemical make-up' of the sludge to make it harmless to the soil and enable its use as a nutritive organic fertilizer. This method has been found to comply with grade A standards for sludge stabilization.
authors.affiliation: Griffith School of Engineering (Environment), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Rajiv K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herat
authors.forename: Gokul
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bharambe
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brahambhatt
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005308:Fertilizers; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism; D009835:Oligochaeta; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil