Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
- 02 WASTES FROM AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHING, FOOD PREPARATION AND PROCESSING
- 02 01 wastes from agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, hunting and fishing
- 02 01 99 wastes not otherwise specified
A specific type of composting, where earthworms or earthworm rich soil are added at the beginning of composting process. Earthworms have positive effect on the efficiency of composting processes through their agitation and degradation activity. At the end of composting, earthworms can be removed and reused for the next procedure. It is an aerobic process. [Hunyadi G, Tamás J, Nagy J (2012) Hulladékokból összeállított komposztok degradációs folyamatainak nyomon követése, Phd disszertáció, Kerpely Kálmán Növénytermesztési, Kertészeti és Regionális Tudományok Doktori Iskola, Debreceni Egyetem]
Yes, the compost characteristic can be varied depending on the base materials, the species of applied earthworms and the time of composting [1]. Base material can be cattle manure; poultry manure; sheep manure; goat manure; hog manure; rabbit manure; fresh food scraps; pre-composted food wastes; biosolids (human waste); seaweed; legume hays; grains; corrugated cardboard; fish, poultry offal; blood wastes; animal mortalities. [1]- Paola Campitelli, Silvia Ceppi: Chemical, physical and biological compost and vermicompost characterization: A chemometric study, Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 90, 64–71, 2008
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- nitrogen (total)
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- carbon
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- potassium oxide (K2O)
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- calcium
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- magnesium
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- sodium
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- zinc
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- iron
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- manganese
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- nitorgen (Kjeldhal)
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- nitrate
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- ammonia/ammonium
- Other inorganic chemical compounds
- phosphorus pentoxide
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- aluminium
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- copper
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- boron
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- chromium
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- nickel
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- lead
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- strontium
- Metals, semi-metals and their compounds
- vanadium
The compost is made in aerobic conditions. Earthworms are used for composting. Base materials are biologically degradable, e.g. sewage sludge, agricultural wastes, food industry wastes. Nitrogen 0.51-2%, potassium 0.15-0.73%, calcium 1.18–7.61%, magnesium 0.093–0.56%, sodium 0.058–0.15%, zinc 0.0042–0.1%, iron 0.2–1.3%, manganese 0.01-0.2%,
Vermicomposting is different from conventional composting in many ways. It is taking place in mezofil environment (10-32 oC) and normally quicker than conventional methods. In the digestive track of earthworms base materials are transformed into a more available form for microorganisms. Vermicompost is rich in nutrients and free from pests.
pH 6.8-7.7, electrical conductiviy 17-28 mS/cm, dry matter content 34-67%.
It is utilized as adsorbent for removing metal ions from effluents, cultivation media and organic fertilizer.
[1] S. Marinari, G. Masciandaro, B. Ceccanti, S. Grego: Influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on soil biological and physical properties, Bioresource Technology, 72, 9-17, 2000; [2] Hunyadi G, Tamás J, Nagy J (2012) Hulladékokból összeállított komposztok degradációs folyamatainak nyomon követése, Phd disszertáció, Kerpely Kálmán Növénytermesztési, Kertészeti és Regionális Tudományok Doktori Iskola, Debreceni Egyetem; [3] Nagavallemma KP et al. (2004) Vermicomposting: Recycling wastes into valuable organic fertilizer, Global Theme on Agrecosystems Report no. 8, Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics; [4] Glenn Munroe (2004) Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
Physical, chemical and biological characteristic were measured, statistical analyses was carried out. The following parameters are measured to determine the maturity and stability of vermicomposts: C:N ratio of the final product, water soluble carbon (WSC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), carbon dioxide evolution (CO2), germination index (GI), moisture content, total organic carbon content (TOC), humus-like substances content (CHS, CHA, CFA), total nitrogen content (TN), phosphorus (Pe) and potassium (K) content, heavy metals, salinity, water holding capacity, bulk density, and pathogens. [Paola Campitelli, Silvia Ceppi: Chemical, physical and biological compost and vermicompost characterization: A chemometric study, Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 90, 64–71 2008]
Usage of sewage sludge for vermicomposting can increase the risk of its utilization. Hazardous materials in the sewage sludge can endanger soil organisms, as well as through the food chain it has a potential risk to threaten humans. If the composting is not accomplished, the compost can contain hazardous microorganisms such as Coliforms or Salmonella and has a risk of hygiene.
Vermicomposted manure has higher N availability on a weight basis than conventionally composted manure. The supply rate of several nutrients, including P, K, S and Mg, were increased by vermicomposting as compared with conventional composting. [Glenn Munroe (2004) Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada]
The supply rate of several nutrients, including P, K, S and Mg, were increased by vermicomposting as compared with conventional composting. [Glenn Munroe (2004) Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada]
It appears that the process of vermicomposting tends to result in higher levels of plant-availability of most nutrients than does the conventional composting process. [Glenn Munroe (2004) Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada]
The increase in soil microbial activity has a positive effect on soil structure. [S. Marinari, G. Masciandaro, B. Ceccanti, S. Grego: Influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on soil biological and physical properties, Bioresource Technology, 72, 9-17, 2000]
Decreased porosity was mostly represented by biopores, which appeared to be the optimum seat for microbial activity [S. Marinari, G. Masciandaro, B. Ceccanti, S. Grego: Influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on soil biological and physical properties, Bioresource Technology, 72, 9-17, 2000]
Decreased porosity was mostly represented by biopores, which appeared to be the optimum seat for microbial activity [S. Marinari, G. Masciandaro, B. Ceccanti, S. Grego: Influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on soil biological and physical properties, Bioresource Technology, 72, 9-17, 2000]
[1] The use of vermicompost in an optimum pH range (2.5/5.0) as an adsorbent to remove Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions was established. [2] Vermicompost can be used as adsorbent substrate for removing Ni,and Cr too. [[1] G.D. Matos, M.A.Z. Arruda: Vermicompost as natural adsorbent for removing metal ions from laboratory effluents, Process Biochemistry, 39, 81-88, 2003; [2] Cynthia Urdaneta et al.: Evaluation of vermicompost as bioadsorbent substrate of Pb, Ni, V and Cr for waste waters remediation using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence, Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 63, 1455–1460, 2008]
It can be used as permeable reactive barrier (PRB) because of its adsorption properties. [[1] G.D. Matos, M.A.Z. Arruda: Vermicompost as natural adsorbent for removing metal ions from laboratory effluents, Process Biochemistry, 39, 81-88, 2003; [2] Cynthia Urdaneta et al.: Evaluation of vermicompost as bioadsorbent substrate of Pb, Ni, V and Cr for waste waters remediation using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence, Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 63, 1455–1460, 2008]
Usage of sewage sludge for vermicomposting can increase the risk of its utilization. Hazardous materials in the sewage sludge can endanger soil organisms, as well as through the food chain it has a potential risk to threaten humans. If the composting is not accomplished, the compost can contain hazardous microorganisms such as Coliforms or Salmonella and has a risk of hygiene.