title: Metal remediation and biodegradation potential of earthworm species on municipal solid waste: a parallel analysis between Metaphire posthuma and Eisenia fetida.
abstract: Information on vermicomposting with Metaphire posthuma is scanty. This paper, therefore, aims to evaluate the bioconversion efficiency of this species against Eiseniafetida. For comparative analysis, different combinations of municipal solid waste (MSW) and cow dung were used as substrates. The contents of total N and availability of P, K, and Fe increased significantly in both Metaphire and Eisenia systems which was accompanied by substantial reduction in pH and total organic C. Both species exhibited similar levels of urease activity and microbial respiration. Moreover, bioavailability of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cu) was reduced substantially during vermicomposting, irrespective of the earthworm species. In contrast, each species was distinguished by the enhancement either in microbial biomass C and phosphatase activity (Eisenia) or in humification and fulvic/humic acid C (Metaphire). The overall results suggest that indigenous earthworm, M.posthuma could be utilized as a successful candidate for bioprocessing of toxic wastes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India.
authors.forename: Banashree
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sahariah
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India.
authors.forename: Linee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kkim61@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Indian Statistical Institute, North East Centre, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India.
authors.forename: Pradip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: satyasundarb@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Satya Sundar
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001682:Biological Availability; D018533:Biomass; D002417:Cattle; D006812:Humic Substances; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008372:Manure / Q000382:microbiology; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011188:Potassium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006812:Humic Substances; D008372:Manure; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D014510:Urease; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Metal accumulation; Metaphire posthuma; Municipal solid waste; Nutrient recovery; Vermicompost