The treatment of domestic wastewater using small-scale vermicompost filter beds

Taylor, M., Clarke, W. P. and Greenfield, P. F. (2003) The treatment of domestic wastewater using small-scale vermicompost filter beds. Ecological Engineering, 21 2-3: 197-203.


Author Taylor, M.
Clarke, W. P.
Greenfield, P. F.
Title The treatment of domestic wastewater using small-scale vermicompost filter beds
Journal name Ecological Engineering  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2003
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2003.12.003
Volume number 21
Issue number 2-3
ISSN 0925-8574
Start page 197
End page 203
Total pages 7
Place of publication Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher Elsevier BV
Collection year 2003
Language eng
Subject C1
290699 Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified
270307 Microbial Ecology
291104 Environmental Technologies
770502 Land and water management
660299 Renewable energy not elsewhere classified (e.g. geothermal)
710201 Waste management
Abstract The aim of this study is to quantity the effect of filter bed depth and solid waste inputs on the performance of small-scale vermicompost filter beds that treat the soluble contaminants within domestic wastewater. The study also aims to identify environmental conditions within the filters by quantifying the oxygen content and pH of wastewater held within it. Vermicompost is being utilised within commercially available on-site domestic waste treatment systems however, there are few reported studies that have examined this medium for the purpose of wastewater treatment. Three replicate small-scale reactors were designed to enable wastewater sampling at five reactor depths in 10-cm intervals. The surface of each reactor received household solid organic waste and 1301 m(-2) per day of raw domestic wastewater. The solid waste at the filter bed surface leached oxygen demand into the wastewater flowing through it. The oxygen demand was subsequently removed in lower reactor sections. Both nitrification and denitrification occurred in the bed. The extent of denitrification was a function of BOD leached from the solid waste. The environmental conditions measured within the bed were found to be suitable for earthworms living within them. The study identified factors that will affect the performance and application of the vermicompost filtration technology. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keyword Ecology
Engineering, Environmental
Environmental Sciences
Domestic Wastewater
Filtration
Earthworms
Organic Waste
Organic Filtration Media
Peat
Q-Index Code C1

 
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