Utilization of Earthworms and Microorganisms in Stabilization, Decontamination and Detoxification of Residual Sludges from Treatment of Wastewater

摘要

The feasibility of using earthworms in management of municipal sludges is examined. Results of tests performed on two earthworm species--Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia foetida--are reported. The following observations were made: (1) Toxicity of worm-casts to the earthworms signifies the need to retain E. foetida in its source of food (activated sludge) as long as, or slightly longer than, the time required to convert the sludge into castings; (2) Knowledge of the quantity of material passing through the earthworm gut per unit of time, for a particular ingestible sludge, permits prediction of sludge quantity manageable per unit time; and (3) E. foetida fails to gain weight rapidly, if at all, on unlimited supplies of certain organic materials.