Physicochemical changes effected in activated sludge by the earthworm Eisenia foetida. [Concentration of heavy metals during sludge catabolism]

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1981.00472425001000030027x· OSTI ID:6287964

Hartenstein, R ^[1]; Hartenstein, F

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1. State Univ. of New York, Syracuse

Measurements were made of some physicochemical changes effected in activated sludge by the earthworm Eisenia foetida following conversion of the sludge into wormcasts. Mineralization was accelerated 1.3-fold and 2% of the minerals were assimilated. The rate at which heavy metals were concentrated during sludge catabolism was also accelerated. Castings stabilized within 2 weeks, as indexed by respirometry. Nucleic acids, which can be used as an index of microbial biomass, were present at a greater concentration in the wormcasts than in the sludge, while the phenolic content, which may potentially serve as an index of humification, was less concentrated. Other changes included a reduction in pH and an increase in oxidation-reduction potential and cation exchange capacity. The major general effect of E. foetida on the physicochemical properties of activated sludge is to convert a material which has a relatively small surface/volume ratio into numerous particles with an overall large S/V ratio, thus accelerating decomposition, mineralization, drying, and preclusion of malodor.

• OSTI ID: 6287964
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 10:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANNELIDS
METABOLIC ACTIVATION
METALS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEWAGE SLUDGE
METABOLISM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CATIONS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
GROWTH
MINERALIZATION
NUCLEIC ACIDS
PHENOLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REDOX POTENTIAL
TOXICITY
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INVERTEBRATES
IONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEWAGE
WASTES
560304* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)