Influence of the population size of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae on the heavy metal content reduction during vermicomposting of animal wastes

This study determines the density of the African nightcrawler earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) needed to obtain the maximum reduction in heavy metal content during the vermicomposting of cow, sheep, pig and chicken wastes in 90 days. The heavy metal studied a re zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) cause of their toxicity effect on human health. Four batches composed of 5, 10, 15 and 20 individuals of Eudrilus eugeniae have been tested in 1 kg of cow, shee p, pig and chicken wastes and the variation of the heavy metal contents were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of the vermicomposting. The heavy metal content generally decreased when the number of individuals of E. Eugeniae increases. The lowest heavy met al concentration for each waste was obtained with 15 and 20 earthworms at 90 days of vermicomposting. Results of this study may help in the formulation of a strategy for vermicomposting with E. eugeniae.

Resilient Landscapes is powered by CIFOR-ICRAF. Our mission is to connect private and public actors in co-beneficial landscapes; provide evidence-based business cases for nature-based solutions and green economy investments; leverage and de-risk performance-driven investments with combined financial, social and environmental returns.

2024 All rights reserved    Privacy notice