Title: Earthworms – the environmental engineers: review of vermiculture technologies for environmental management and resource development

Authors: Rajiv K. Sinha, Sunil Herat, Dalsukh Valani, Krunal Chauhan

Addresses: Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, QLD – 4111, Brisbane, Australia. ' Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, QLD – 4111, Brisbane, Australia. ' Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, QLD – 4111, Brisbane, Australia. ' Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, QLD – 4111, Brisbane, Australia

Abstract: Earthworms are being used to manage most organic wastes; treat wastewater; clean-up chemically contaminated soils; improve soil fertility and produce food crops. Their use in production of life-saving medicines and raw materials for industries are some new discoveries. We have successfully experimented in vermicomposting of |MSW|, vermifiltration of |municipal & industrial wastewater|, vermiremediation of chemically contaminated soils| and production of |cereal & vegetables crops| with amazing results. Wastes are degraded by over 75% faster, BOD and TDSS of wastewater is reduced by over 95% and growths of crop plants are enhanced by 30–40% higher over chemical fertilisers.

Keywords: waste vermicomposting; wastewater vermifiltration; vermiremediation; contaminated land; soil contamination; vermi-agroproduction; organic foods; vermicompost; nutritive biofertilisers; earthworms; biomass; pharmaceutical industry; wastewater treatment; cereal; vegetables.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2010.037271

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2010 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.265 - 292

Published online: 01 Dec 2010 *

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