Domestic scale vermicomposting for solid waste management

Abstract

Purpose The long-term use of manure as a source of nutrients can promote phosphorus (P) leaching, especially in sandy soils. The aim was to evaluate P mobility from organic and mineral sources in columns, linked with the Dystric Xeropsamments adsorption characteristics with long-term organic fertilization regime. Methods The mineral, chemical, and physical properties of the samples were characterized, including Langmuir adsorption and desorption kinetics. The P mobility was determined in one leaching experiment, in 20 cm soil columns. The topsoil (0-10 cm) layer was treated with organic (cattle, swine, goat, and hen manure) and inorganic fertilizers. Leaching was corresponding to 10 pore volumes (PV), 1 PV day −1 . Aliquots of the leachate were collected to analyze P concentrations. After the leaching, the columns were sliced into 5-cm sections for the analysis of water-extractable P (WEP). Results The mineral source obtained higher leaching of P and between the organic sources the bovine and swine manure. The latter were the ones that had higher value of P w in the soil after the leaching. Due to the increase of the adsorption capacity of P with depth, there was a reduction in the mobility of P, and an unbalance of P w in the soil was found. Conclusions The mobility of P depends on the concentration of the soluble P soil or added material; moreover, the presence of Fe and Al oxides, even in small amounts, reduces the mobility of P in sandy soil.

An Overview: Organic Waste Management by Earthworm

“…Pathma and Sakhivel [8], reported that vermicompost is process of non-thermophilic, bio-oxidative process with help of earthworm and microbes. Compost carbon:nitrogen ratio of the compost was higher than raw waste [25].…”

Method for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of hazardous waste in laboratories of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

“…We used a questionnaire that designed by Hassanvand et al [1] that is consist of five sections: (1) Quantity of HWs generation, (2) Separation, packaging, and labeling of HWs, (3) temporary storage method of HWs, (4) Discharge or collection frequency of HWs, and (5) treatment and final disposal method of HWs [[2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]].…”

Untitled

“…Past experience teaches us to replace the use of chemical fertilizer with the organic manure using earthworms. One of the most important earthworm families is Lumricidae, and one of its members, Eiseniafetida, can be used to stabilize organic waste the process called "Vermicomposting" or composting with worms 5 . Applications of vermicompost increases in soil health, soil minerals, water holding capacity, soil microorganism and nutritional values of yielding crop as well as decreases plant pests population 6 .…”