title: Pathogen reduction in septic tank sludge through vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida.
abstract: This study evaluated the potential of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to remove pathogens from the sludge from septic tanks. Three earthworm population densities, equivalent to 1, 2, and 2.5kgm(-2), were tested for pathogen removal from sludge. The experimental phase lasted 60days, starting from the initial earthworm inoculation. After 60days, it was found that earthworms reduced concentrations of fecal coliforms, Salmonella spp., and helminth ova to permissible levels (<1000MPN/g, <3MPN/g, and <1viable ova/g on a dry weight basis, respectively) in accordance with Official Mexican Standard of environmental protection (NOM-004-SEMARNAT-2002) (SEMARNAT, 2002). Thus, sludge treatment with earthworms generated Class A biosolids, useful for forest, agricultural, and soil improvement.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Centro de Estudios de Desarrollo Sustentable y Aprovechamiento de la Vida Silvestre, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n entre calle 20 y Juan de la Barrera, Campeche 24030, Campeche, Mexico. lgrodrig@uacam.mx
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Canché
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cardoso Vigueros
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maldonado-Montiel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martínez-Sanmiguel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil