Valorization of fecal sludge stabilization via vermicomposting in microcosm enriched substrates using organic soils for vermicompost production

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06422
• Publication Date: 2021-03-09T10:01:12Z
• Authors: Rapheal Nsiah-Gya...; Helen Michelle Ko...; Nana Yaw Asiedu; Bernard Fei-Baffoe
• Keywords: Eisenia fetida; Coir; Microcosm

High generation of fecal sludge without proper treatment is a major sanitation problem. A key step in curbing this problem producing value-added resources such as vermicompost from through substrate enrichment. Substrate enrichment vermicomposting technique that involves augmenting vermibed substrates with organic rich materials to provide additional nutrients, well underlying layers needed for microcosm development produce desirable vermicompost. The aim study was investigate effects soils (black soil, red laterite soil and sandy soil) combined coconut coir bulking material, on the process quality end-product. purpose promote highly nutritive using low-cost innovative technique. enriched were prepared 160g coir, 120g matter (65–70% dry matter) 80g soil. treatments labelled T1, T2 T3 representing systems containing black respectively. control (T4) contained no Triplicate setup about 20 3-week old clitellated earthworms species Eisenia. fetida live weights ranging 255 275mg, released into each system over period 12 weeks. Physicochemical parameters pH, Organic Carbon (Corg), Total Nitrogen (Ntot), Available Phosphorus (Pavail), Exchangeable Calcium (Caexch), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) Aluminium (Al) determined both (T1) showed highest Corg mineralization Ntot, Pavail Caexch enhancement followed by T2, T4. Treatment T1 also resulted lowest concentration Fe, Pb Al Concentrations these heavy metals found be higher other increasing order Less than 16% earthworm mortality recorded all except T4, which 38% (38.33 ± 13.74). therefore more suitable microclimate produced high nutrient content. However, comprehensive metal accumulation tissues potential contaminant establish strong hypothesis safe use