various factors such as the initial C/N ratio, humidity, temperature, pH, and nature of
the organic waste (Lim et al., 2016). Vermicomposting is considered one of the most
sustainable methods to deal the organic waste with maximum benefits to the
environment. Vermicomposting has been shown to be successful in processing
sewage sludge and solids from wastewater, food industry waste, urban residues,
and food and animal waste (Domínguez et al. 2003; Clarke et al. 2007; Pramanik
et al. 2007, Suthar 2007, Nogales et al. 1999, 2005; Dominguez and Edwards 1997;
Atiyeh et al. 2000; Garg et al. 2006; Aira et al. 2006a, b; Lazcano et al. 2008). There
has been a report on the reduction of COD of about 87% through vermicomposting
of human feces (Furlong et al. 2014).
6.4.1.1 Adaptations of Earthworms
Earthworms are adapted to survive in harsh environments and in moderately acidic
to alkaline conditions with pH value ranging from 4.5 to 9. They can tolerate a
temperature range of 5–29
C. According to Hand (1988), the optimum condition for
a worm to function is the temperature range of 20–25
C and moisture level of
60–75%. Satchell (1983) found that Eisenia fetida can withstand extremely toxic
chemicals like TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin).
According to Sinha et al. (2010), some of the earthworm species like Eisenia
fetida, red tiger worm (Eisenia andrei), the Indian blue worm (Perionyx excavatus),
the African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae), and the red worm (Lumbricus
rubellus) are considered to be best suited for vermicomposting of sewage sludge at
different climatic conditions. Recently, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute
developed a new earthworm called “Jai Gopal” (Perionyx ceylanesis) through the
selection and mating plan, which is better than exotic earthworms Eisenia fetida and
Eudrilus eugeniae. Jai Gopal has great heat tolerance capacity of up to 43.0
C
ambient temperature and is very rich in protein (contain 67% protein and all
functional amino acids). As compared to exotic earthworm species, “Jai Gopal” is
considered to be more voracious feeder, produced super quality of vermicast and
vermiwash, has a very good capability of inhabiting on animal and farm waste,
produced high rate of cocoon per week, increases in number of hatching per cocoon,
increases in number of earthworm population in 3 months, has long life span, etc.
6.4.2 Vermifiltration
Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, water shortage is expected to rise in
the years to come (Gan et al. 2018). Therefore, the management of unconventional
water resources through wastewater treatment has become the essential need of the
hour (García-Fernández et al. 2015). In wastewater management, reutilization of
treated wastewater is one of the ways to be considered (Huang et al. 2016). More
than 80% of the water supply reaches the sewers; then, treated wastewater can be
6 Vermitechnology: A Sustainable Approach in the Management of Solid and Liquid. . .
97
the organic waste (Lim et al., 2016). Vermicomposting is considered one of the most
sustainable methods to deal the organic waste with maximum benefits to the
environment. Vermicomposting has been shown to be successful in processing
sewage sludge and solids from wastewater, food industry waste, urban residues,
and food and animal waste (Domínguez et al. 2003; Clarke et al. 2007; Pramanik
et al. 2007, Suthar 2007, Nogales et al. 1999, 2005; Dominguez and Edwards 1997;
Atiyeh et al. 2000; Garg et al. 2006; Aira et al. 2006a, b; Lazcano et al. 2008). There
has been a report on the reduction of COD of about 87% through vermicomposting
of human feces (Furlong et al. 2014).
6.4.1.1 Adaptations of Earthworms
Earthworms are adapted to survive in harsh environments and in moderately acidic
to alkaline conditions with pH value ranging from 4.5 to 9. They can tolerate a
temperature range of 5–29
C. According to Hand (1988), the optimum condition for
a worm to function is the temperature range of 20–25
C and moisture level of
60–75%. Satchell (1983) found that Eisenia fetida can withstand extremely toxic
chemicals like TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin).
According to Sinha et al. (2010), some of the earthworm species like Eisenia
fetida, red tiger worm (Eisenia andrei), the Indian blue worm (Perionyx excavatus),
the African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae), and the red worm (Lumbricus
rubellus) are considered to be best suited for vermicomposting of sewage sludge at
different climatic conditions. Recently, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute
developed a new earthworm called “Jai Gopal” (Perionyx ceylanesis) through the
selection and mating plan, which is better than exotic earthworms Eisenia fetida and
Eudrilus eugeniae. Jai Gopal has great heat tolerance capacity of up to 43.0
C
ambient temperature and is very rich in protein (contain 67% protein and all
functional amino acids). As compared to exotic earthworm species, “Jai Gopal” is
considered to be more voracious feeder, produced super quality of vermicast and
vermiwash, has a very good capability of inhabiting on animal and farm waste,
produced high rate of cocoon per week, increases in number of hatching per cocoon,
increases in number of earthworm population in 3 months, has long life span, etc.
6.4.2 Vermifiltration
Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, water shortage is expected to rise in
the years to come (Gan et al. 2018). Therefore, the management of unconventional
water resources through wastewater treatment has become the essential need of the
hour (García-Fernández et al. 2015). In wastewater management, reutilization of
treated wastewater is one of the ways to be considered (Huang et al. 2016). More
than 80% of the water supply reaches the sewers; then, treated wastewater can be
6 Vermitechnology: A Sustainable Approach in the Management of Solid and Liquid. . .
97