Vermicomposting For The Bioremediation Of
PCB Congeners In SUPERUND Site Media
Author(s)
J. Tharakan, A. Addagada, D. Tomlinson & A. Shafagati
Abstract
In this study we investigated the potential of using earthworms (E.foetida) to
effect the biotransformation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) in sludge and
sediment from the Ralston Street Lagoon (RSL) SUPERFUND site in Gary, IN.
Vermiomposting bioreactors (VB’s) were established with mass fractions of
contaminated sludge ranging from 10% to 75%. The VB’s comprised a drainage
layer overlaid with a mesh screen and then the earthworm bedding mixed with
contaminated sludge. The VB’s were each inoculated with equal biomass of
earthworms. Suitable negative controls to monitor reproduction and biomass
increase without contaminated sludge were also established. The VB’s were kept
moist by water spray and earthworms were periodically fed cornmeal. At set
times, VB’s were sampled and analysed by GC-ECD for PCB levels. Earthworm
biomass and number were also measured. Results demonstrate that earthworms
survived and reproduced in the presence of contaminated media; however,
biomass increase decreased rapidly with increasing mass fraction of sludge.
Biomass increased ranged from 103% in the negative control to biomass
reduction of 54% with 75% sludge. Gas chromatography results demonstrated an
80% reduction in PCB level in all VB’s, although the time required for this level
of reduction increased with increasing sludge mass fraction. Analysis of
earthworms showed elevated PCB levels in the worm. These results suggest
vermicomposting may be a viable option for on-site in situ bioremediation and
site clean-up.
Keywords: vermicomposting, earthworms, polychlorinated biphenyls,
bioremediation, SUPERFUND.
Keywords
vermicomposting, earthworms, polychlorinated biphenyls,
bioremediation, SUPERFUND.
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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