title: Towards understanding the effects of additives on the vermicomposting of sewage sludge.
abstract: This work evaluated the effects of additives on the chemical properties of the final products (vermicompost) from vermicomposting of sewage sludge and the adaptable characteristics of Eisenia fetida during the process. An experimental design with different ratios of sewage sludge and the additives (cattle dung or pig manure) was conducted. The results showed that the vermicomposting reduced total organic carbon and the quotient of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N ratio) of the initial mixtures and enhanced the stability and agronomical value of the final products. Notably, principal component analysis indicated that the additives had significant effects on the characteristics of the vermicomposts. Moreover, the vermibeds containing cattle dung displayed a better earthworm growth and reproduction than those with pig manure. Additionally, redundancy analysis demonstrated that electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and C/N ratio played crucial roles on earthworm growth and reproduction. In all, the additives with high C/N ratio, pH buffering capacity, and low EC are recommended to be used for vermicomposting of sewage sludge.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biofilm Technology, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Meiyan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Baoyi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Chunhui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000254:growth & development*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012098:Reproduction; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D008372:Manure; D012722:Sewage; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen