Preface
Water is one of the essential requirements for all oxygen-dependent living organisms
because water can regulate physical and chemical parameters. Approximately, 71%
of the planet is covered by water and oceans contain 96.5% of earth’s water. The
main resource of water includes rainwater, wells, streams, natural springs, ocean,
and rivers. In the last few decades, there is a rapid development of human
populations and industrial revolutions. Accordingly, various industries are released
wastewater/effluent which generates serious environmental problems, especially
water pollution. On the other hand, indiscriminate usage of synthetic fertilizers for
crop production, during rainy days can migrate into the water bodies which also
cause water pollution. In addition, water pollution can affect living organisms and
alter the overall food chain.
Nowadays, a huge amount of wastewater sludge/solid wastes are produced by
various industries and human beings. These sludge/solid wastes contain a significant
amount of hazardous materials that generate soil pollution. In soil, hazardous
pollutants are potentially toxic to living organisms, and they alter the chemical and
biological reactions. Currently, various peoples have been using numerous methods
(like physical, chemical, and biological methods) to combat water and soil pollution,
but these methods contain several disadvantages. Therefore, there is urgent requirement of cost-effective and environment-friendly techniques to remediate pollutants.
This book “Earthworm Assisted Remediation of Effluents and Wastes” introduces
various remediation strategies. For example, vermifiltration of wastewater/effluent
employing earthworms is a recently established “novel” technology. This term
filtration technology is based on the capability of worms to consume and break
down various organic waste materials and heavy metals from effluent, and their
capacity to remove different pollutants from effluent by absorption via body walls of
the earthworms. Vermifiltration is an effective and environment-friendly technology
for wastewater/effluent treatment. In addition, earthworms can eliminate toxic hazardous materials from solid wastes and also enhance the microbial populations
which stimulate crop production. Internal body of the earthworms has
metallothioneins, protein that can bind with heavy metal ions, and also an earthworm
v
Water is one of the essential requirements for all oxygen-dependent living organisms
because water can regulate physical and chemical parameters. Approximately, 71%
of the planet is covered by water and oceans contain 96.5% of earth’s water. The
main resource of water includes rainwater, wells, streams, natural springs, ocean,
and rivers. In the last few decades, there is a rapid development of human
populations and industrial revolutions. Accordingly, various industries are released
wastewater/effluent which generates serious environmental problems, especially
water pollution. On the other hand, indiscriminate usage of synthetic fertilizers for
crop production, during rainy days can migrate into the water bodies which also
cause water pollution. In addition, water pollution can affect living organisms and
alter the overall food chain.
Nowadays, a huge amount of wastewater sludge/solid wastes are produced by
various industries and human beings. These sludge/solid wastes contain a significant
amount of hazardous materials that generate soil pollution. In soil, hazardous
pollutants are potentially toxic to living organisms, and they alter the chemical and
biological reactions. Currently, various peoples have been using numerous methods
(like physical, chemical, and biological methods) to combat water and soil pollution,
but these methods contain several disadvantages. Therefore, there is urgent requirement of cost-effective and environment-friendly techniques to remediate pollutants.
This book “Earthworm Assisted Remediation of Effluents and Wastes” introduces
various remediation strategies. For example, vermifiltration of wastewater/effluent
employing earthworms is a recently established “novel” technology. This term
filtration technology is based on the capability of worms to consume and break
down various organic waste materials and heavy metals from effluent, and their
capacity to remove different pollutants from effluent by absorption via body walls of
the earthworms. Vermifiltration is an effective and environment-friendly technology
for wastewater/effluent treatment. In addition, earthworms can eliminate toxic hazardous materials from solid wastes and also enhance the microbial populations
which stimulate crop production. Internal body of the earthworms has
metallothioneins, protein that can bind with heavy metal ions, and also an earthworm
v