Vermiremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in sewage sludge composting process.
The main objective of this work was to study the dynamics of the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during sewage sludge vermicomposting. This eco-biotechnology employing earthworms as natural bioreactors for decomposing of organic matter may be used for vermiremediation of particular pollutants present in various organic matter sources. In this experiment, sewage sludge was mixed with bulking agents and precomposted. Afterward, adult Eisenia andrei specimens were introduced into the process. Total heavy metal and PAHs concentration were measured in composts and earthworms before and after the process. While heavy metal concentrations fluctuated mildly in the substratum, several metals clearly accumulated in the earthworms' bodies. Body Accumulation Factors could be ranked as follows (Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb). Interestingly, addition of earthworms into the process has led to the high percentage of PAHs removal and some of the 16 priority PAHs analyzed in this study have been accumulated in earthworms' bodies. Applied conditions did not affect worms' viability but they almost completely inhibited their reproduction.
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland; Université Lille Nord de France, LGCgE-Lille 1, Ecologie Numérique et Ecotoxicologie, F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Agnieszka
A
Rorat
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Dariusz
D
Wloka
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland. Electronic address: agrobelak@is.pcz.czest.pl.
Anna
A
Grobelak
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Anna
A
Grosser
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Aleksandra
A
Sosnecka
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Marcin
M
Milczarek
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Paulina
P
Jelonek
Université Lille Nord de France, LGCgE-Lille 1, Ecologie Numérique et Ecotoxicologie, F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Franck
F
Vandenbulcke
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
Malgorzata
M
Kacprzak
D000818:Animals; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Eisenia andrei; Heavy metals; PAHs; Vermiremediation