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Journal of Environmental BiologypISSN: 0254-8704 ; eISSN: 2394-0379 ; CODEN: JEBIDP |
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Abstract - Issue Mar 2009, 29 (2) BackBiomanagement of sago-sludge using an
earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae J. Rajesh Banu1, Ick
Tae Yeom*1, S. Esakkiraj2, Naresh
Kumar2, and S. Logakanthi2 1Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 300, Chunchun-dong,
Jangan-gu, Suwon-Si - 440-746,
Korea 2Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna
University, Chennai - 600 025, India (Received: February 17, 2007
; Revised received: July 20, 2007 ; Accepted: August 13, 2007) Abstract: Sago, the
tapioca starch is manufactured by over 800 small-scale units located in the
Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. During the
processing of sago it generates huge quantities of biodegradable solid waste, as
crushed tubers. In present study an attempt was made to convert these
biodegradable solid sago tubers into value added compost using an exotic
earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae.
The experiments were carried out in a plastic tray at various concentrations of
sago-sludge (50% 75% and 100%) for a period of 90 days. During the vermicomposting, data were collected on life form (cocoon, non
clitellates, clitellates) of
earthworm and it was found to be high in 50% followed by 75% and 100%
concentrations. Chemical analysis of worked substrates showed a step wise
increase of nitrogen and phosphorus. The fold increase of phosphorus and
nitrogen were found to be high for sago-sludge undergoing vermicomposting
than the control. During the composting period the organic carbon decreased
from its initial value of 58, 76 and 107mg/kg to 21, 24 and 65 mg/kg for 50, 70
and 100%, respectively. The microbial analysis showed that after 75 days of
composting, their population stabilized and further increase in composting
period did not increase their population size. The results indicate that 50%
and 75% concentration of sludge mixed with bedding material was ideal for the vermicomposting. Key words: Sago-sludge, Eudrilus eugeniae,
Vermicomposting, Total organic carbon PDF of full length paper is available with author (yeom@skku.ac.kr) Copyright
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