title: Effect of vermicomposting on calcium, sulphur and some heavy metal content of different biodegradable organic wastes under liming and microbial inoculation.
abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the changes in total calcium and sulphur and some heavy metal (Zn, Cu, and Pb) concentration of different organic wastes affected by liming and microorganism inoculation. Vermicomposting was an effective technology for disposal of organic substrates like municipal solid wastes (MSW), possessing comparatively higher concentration of heavy metals. The addition of lime in initial organic substrates significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased total calcium and total sulphur content of vermicomposts. Inoculation of microorganisms significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the heavy metal content of final products as compared to control. Fungal strains were comparatively more effective in detoxification of heavy metals than B. polymyxa.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Debabrata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Pradip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Pabitra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Banik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D020075:Phanerochaete / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000378:metabolism; D014866:Waste Products; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products; D007854:Lead; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium