title: Vermiremediation of heavy metals in wastewater sludge from paper and pulp industry using earthworm Eisenia fetida.
abstract: This work presents the results of removing heavy metals from paper mill wastewater (PMS) sludge spiked with cow dung (CD) employing Eisenia fetida. A total of seven set-ups were prepared: CD (100 percent), PMS: CD (1:3), PMS:CD (1:2), PMS:CD (1:1), PMS (100 percent), PMS:CD (3:1) and PMS:CD (2:1) and changes in chemical parameters were observed for 60 days. Vermistabilization caused the significant decrease in the level of Cd (32-37 percent), Cr (47.3-80.9 percent), Cu (68.8-88.4 percent), and Pb (95.3-97.5 percent) and substantial increase in EC, total-N, available P and K at the end. At the end, the tissues of inoculated worms showed the high load (mg kg(-1), dry biomass) of Pb (8.81-9.69), Cd (2.31-2.71), Cr (20.7-35.9) and Cu (9.94-11.6), respectively which indicated bioaccumulation of metals by worms. The PMS:CD (2:1 and/or 3:1) appeared to be suitable waste mixture in terms of high metal removal and earthworm growth rates. Bioaccumulation, as quantified using BCF, was in the order: Cd>Cr>Pb>Cu. Results suggested vermiremediation as appropriate technology for bioremediation of heavy metals from PMS.
authors.affiliation: School of Environment & Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun-248001, India. Electronic address: suthariitd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Surindra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suthar
authors.affiliation: School of Environment & Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun-248001, India.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sajwan
authors.affiliation: School of Environment & Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun-248001, India.
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002417:Cattle; D005243:Feces; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Earthworm; Paper mill; Soil nutrient mineralization; Vermicompost; Wastewater treatment