title: Qualitative analysis of the stability of a continuous vermicomposting system.
abstract: A mathematical model was established to describe ecological relationships in a continuous vermicomposting system. The distributions of organic matter, microbes and earthworms on non-dimensional specific growth rates were simulated. The range of specific growth rates were visualized utilizing three-dimensional reconstruction technology. The stability of a vermicomposting system was not influenced by the initial concentrations of microbes and earthworms, only their species. The coordinates of the stable point depended on the dilution rate and initial amount of organic matter. The method described could be help for establishing a stable continuous vermicomposting system.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Enzhu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*