Effect of vermicomposting on calcium, sulphur and some heavy metal content of different biodegradable organic wastes under liming and microbial inoculation

J Environ Sci Health B. 2012;47(3):205-11. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2012.634346.

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the changes in total calcium and sulphur and some heavy metal (Zn, Cu, and Pb) concentration of different organic wastes affected by liming and microorganism inoculation. Vermicomposting was an effective technology for disposal of organic substrates like municipal solid wastes (MSW), possessing comparatively higher concentration of heavy metals. The addition of lime in initial organic substrates significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased total calcium and total sulphur content of vermicomposts. Inoculation of microorganisms significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the heavy metal content of final products as compared to control. Fungal strains were comparatively more effective in detoxification of heavy metals than B. polymyxa.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillus / metabolism
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Copper / analysis
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lead / analysis
  • Lead / metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Oligochaeta / metabolism*
  • Phanerochaete / metabolism
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Sulfur / analysis
  • Sulfur / metabolism*
  • Trichoderma / metabolism
  • Waste Products
  • Zinc / analysis
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil
  • Waste Products
  • Lead
  • Sulfur
  • Copper
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Zinc
  • Calcium