Abstract
Vermistabilization, also known as vermicomposting, is a biodegradation process for stabilization of biosolids and organic solid wastes using earthworms. The worms maintain aerobic conditions in the organic substances and accelerate and enhance the biological decomposition of the organic substances. This chapter introduces and reviews the vermistabilization process. The technology development, technical problems, legal problems, technology breakthrough, current status, available resources, engineering design, and recent advances of the process are discussed in detail.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
M. J. Mitchell, R. M. Mulligan, R. Hartenstein, and E. F. Neuhauser, Conversion of sludges in topsoil by earthwormsCompost Sci.18(4), 28–32 (1977).
M. J. Mitchell, S. G. Hornor, and B. I. Abrams, Decomposition of sewage sludge in drying beds and the potential role of the earthwormE. foetida, J. Environ. Qual.9(3), 373–378 (1980).
Camp, Dresser and McKee, Inc.Compendium on Solid Waste Management by Vermicomposting,US EPA, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, USA, Technical Report No. EPA-600/8-80-033, p. 72, 1980.
S. G. Hornor and M. J. Mitchell, Effect of the earthwormE. foetida(oligochaeta), on fluxes of volatile carbon and sulfur compounds from sewage sludgeSoil Biol. Biochem.13(5), 367–373 (1981).
R. HartensteinUtilization of Earthworms and Microorganisms in Stabilization, Decontamination and Detoxification of Residual Sludges from Treatment of Wastewater, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, USA, Technical Report No. NSF/CEE-81009, p. 19, 1981.
G. W. DickersonVermicomposting, Guide H-164. New Mexico, State University, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, New Mexicowww.practicalhippie.com(2003).
J. E. Collier and D. LivingstoneConversion of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Residual Sludges into Earthworm Castings for Use as Topsoil,National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, USA, Technical Report No. NSF/CEE-81008, p. 43 (1981).
R. Hartenstein, Metabolic parameters of the earthwormE. foetidain relation to temperature—potential use for manure management and as a source of protein biomassBiotechnol. Bioeng.24(8), 1803–1811 (1982).
J. Chosson and P. Dupuy, Improvement of the cellulolytic activity of a natural population of aerobic bacteria—enrichment culture; isolation and characterization of worm gut and compost cellulolytic strainsEur. J. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.18(3), 163–167, 1983.
R. Hartenstein, D. L. Kaplan, and E. F. Neuhauser, Earthworms and trickling filters—for wastewater treatmentJ. Water Pollut. Control Fed.56(3), Part 1, 294–298 (1984).
R. C. Loehr, J. H. Martin, E. F. Neuhauser, and M. R. MaleckiWaste Management Using Earthworms: Engineering and Scientific Relationships, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, USA, Technical Report No. NSF/CEE-84007, p. 128 (1984).
R. C. Loehr, E. F. Neuhauser, and M. R. Malecki, Factors affecting the vermistabilization process: temperature, moisture content and polycultureWater Res.19(10), 1311–1317 (1985).
R. C. Loehr, J. H. Martin, and E. F. Neuhauser, Liquid sludge stabilization using vermistabilization.J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.57(7), 817–826 (1985).
Y. Hasit, Sludge management: a research update.BioCycle 26(4), 44–47 (1985).
Y. Hasit, Sludge management: a research update: Part II.BioCycle 27(9), 42–46 (1986).
E. A. Stafford and C. A. EdwardsComparison of Heavy Metal Uptake by E. Foetida with That of Other Common Earthworms, US Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, USA, Technical Report No. AD-A164-779/1/XAB, p. 83 (1986).
M. E. GlogowskiProcess for PreparingOrganic Compost from MunicipalRefuse,US Patent No. 497161, 1990.
L. Amaravadi, M. S. Bisesi, and R. F. Bozarth, Vermial virucidal activity: implications for management of pathogenic biological wastes on landBiol. Wastes 34(4), 349–358 (1990).
B. Greene, R. A. McPherson, D. W. Darnall, and J. L. Gardea-TorresdeyRemoval of Metal Ions with Immobilized Metal Ion-binding Microorganisms, US Patent No. 5055402 (1991).
G. Concheri, S. Nardi, and G. DellAgnola, Humification of organic waste material during earthworm compostingFresenius Environ. Bull.1(11), 754–759 (1992).
F. A. Anton, E. Laborda, P. Laborda, and E. Ramos, Carbofuran acute toxicity toEisenia foetidaearthwormsBull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.50(3), 407–412 (1993).
C. A. M. Van-Gestel and W. C. Ma, Development of QSAR's in soil ecotoxicology: earthworm toxicity and soil sorption of chlorophenols, chorobenzenes and chloroanilinesWater, Air and Soil Pollut.69(3–4), 265–276 (1993).
R. Sherman-Huntoon, Latest developments in mid- to large-scale vermicompostingBioCycle, November, pp. 1–2 (2000).
G. Logsdon, Worldwide progress in vermicompostingBioCycle, March, pp. 63–65 (1994).
D. Riggle and H. Homes, New horizons for commercial vermicultureBioCycle, March, 58–62 (1994).
C. Elvira, S. Mato, and R. Nogales, Changes in heavy metal extractability and organic matter fractions after vermicomposting of sludges from a paper mill industry and wastewater treatment plantFresenius Environ. Bull.4(8), 503–507 (1995).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), Worm bins in the schoolsWorm Digest 1, p. 8 (1993).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), Why vermicompost?Worm Digest 2, p. 8 (1993).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), The Mary Appelhof issueWorm Digest 3, p. 16 (1993).
S. Z. Frankel, and S. White, (eds.), Seattle area issueWorm Digest 4, p. 16 (1994).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), San Francisco area issueWorm Digest 5, p. 16 (1994).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), Canada Issue: vermicomposting education and projects in CanadaWorm Digest 6, p. 16 (1994).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), The Darwin issue-earthworm research & researchersWorm Digest 7, p. 24 (1994).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White (eds.), Earthworms and human waste Part IWorm Digest 8, p. 16 (1995).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), Earthworms and human waste Part IIWorm Digest 9, p. 16 (1995).
S. Z. Frankel, and S. White, (eds.), School issue Part I—small-scale vermicompostingWo r m Digest 10, p. 24 (1995).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), School issue Part II—large-scale vermicompostingWo r m Digest 11, p. 24 (1995).
S. Z. Frankel and S. White, (eds.), Earthworms in farms and gardensWorm Digest 12, p. 24 (1996).
US EPAInnovative and Alternative Technology Assessment Manual,Technical Report 430/9-78-009. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 1980.
L. K. Wang, Vermistabilization of biosolids and organic solid wastes using earthworms (Part I): technology development and researchOCEESA J.14(1), 32–35 (1997).
L. K. Wang, Vermistablilizatin of bioslids and organic solid wastes using earthworms (Part II): technical problems, breakthrough and worldwide progressOCEESA J.14(2), 34–36 (1997).
L. K. WangVermistabilization, Technical Report No. PB97-136279, US Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, p. 19 (1997).
B. Geiselman, Worms eat away at US Air Force's wasteWaste N e w sp. 15 (2003).
NSFCComposting Biosolids,Report No. WWBRGN113. National Small Flows Clearinghouse, West Virginia University, PO Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506, 2003.
F. CarmodyPractical Problems in Application of Earthworms to Waste Conversion Processes: Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932. US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, 1978.
M. J. Mitchell, R. M. Mulligan, R. Hartenstein, and E. F. Neuhauser, Conversion of sludges into topsoils' by earthwormsCompost Sci.18, 28 (1977).
D. Newman, Earthworm and electrons: technology's outer limitsSludge Mag.1(1), 30 (1978).
C. Dombrowski, Postscript: earthwormsSludge Mag.1(5), 10 (1978).
J. R. SabineThe Nutritive Valve of Earthworm Meal: Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932, US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, 1978.
M. B. KirkhamAvailability to Wheat of Elements in sludge-Treated Soil with Earthworms: Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932. US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, 53, 1978.
J. E. CollierUse of Earthworms in Sludge Lagoons: Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932, US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, 1978.
L. Theoret, R. Hartenstein, and M. J. Mitchell, A study on the interactions of enzymes with manures and sludgesCompost Sci.19, 29 (1978).
Soil and Plant Laboratory, Inc.Soil Fertility Analysis—Earthworm Castings, Soil and Plant Laboratory, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, 1977.
N. P. Stark and S. BodmerQuality of Earthworm Castings and the Use of Compost on Arid Soils: Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932, US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, p. 87 (1978).
E. F. NeuhauserThe Utilization of Earthworms in Solid Waste Management, Utilization of Soil Organisms in Sludge Management, PB-286932, US Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, p. 138 (1978).
R. Hartenstein, E. F. Neahauser, and J. Collier. Accumulation of heavy metals in the earthwormEsenia foetida. J. Environ. Quality, 9, p. 23–26 (1980).
R. I. Van Hook, Cadmium, lead, and zinc distributions between earthworms and soils: potentials for biological accumulation.Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.12, p. 509 (1974).
S. AnProAn Ecologically, Environmentally, & Economically Sound Approach to Sewage Sludge Management. GTA, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, 1978.
US EPAProcess Design Manual for Sludge Treatment and Disposal, EPA 625/1-79-011. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 1979.
H. T. Stuckey and P. F. Hudak, Waste investmentEnviron. Prot.13(3), 60–71 (2002).
G. Matson. Worm news.The Composter. p. 2–3. March (2006).
L. K. Wang, Y. T. Hung, C. Yapijakis, J. P. Chen, and H. Lo, Design and application of Vermicom-posting processOCEESA J.20(2), 2003.
S. Z. Frankel, and S. White, (eds.), Earthworms down under—Australia and New ZealandWo r m Digest 13, p. 32 (1996).
I. S. Turovskiy and J. D. Westbrook, Recent advancements in wastewater sludge compostingWa t e r Eng. Manage.149(10), 29–32 (2003).
Wikimedia Foundation, Vermicompost.Wikimedia Encyclopedia. p. 1–5. June (2008).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/worm_castings
C. A. EdwardsEarthworm Ecology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 456 p. March 2004.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science + Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wang, L.K., Hung, YT., Li, K.H. (2009). Vermicomposting Process. In: Wang, L.K., Pereira, N.C., Hung, YT. (eds) Biological Treatment Processes. Handbook of Environmental Engineering, vol 8. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-156-1_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-156-1_17
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-163-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-156-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)