Vermiremediation is a developing technology that uses earthworms to restore organically contaminated soils. The earthworm has been known since ancient times for its important role in soil fertility management and litter nutrient cycling, by converting biodegradable materials and organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicast. During the last 30-40 years earthworms have been studied intensively in the various disciplines of animal ecology, pedology, waste recycling, agriculture science, soil biology and chemistry, ecotoxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences. They are largely referred to as Ecosystem Engineers, Farmers Friends, Ploughman of the field, and Intestine of the earth due to their important role in ground ecology. Apart from that, the earthworm has appeared as a promising tool for nutrient recycling. This is in various kinds of organic waste substances and the stabilization of industrial sludges.
During ‘The Green Revolution’, an extensive quantity of chemical pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers were used to increase crop yield. Initially, it increased the productivity of the soil but over time the productivity of the soil is reducing. The addition of earthworms and vermicompost to soil maintains an optimum level of soil media in terms of metal concentration, soil porosity and aeration, pH, and electrical conductivity. The joint action of earthworms and vermicompost has been worked to vermiremediate the contaminated soil and thus elevating the overall quality of the soil.
Anthropogenic activities contaminate the soil and raise many concerns in the scientific community. There is a significant need for reliable and nature-friendly techniques which address these concerns. Vermiremediation involves earthworms converting solid organic materials and wastes into vermicompost which acts as a soil conditioner and nutrient-rich manure. The contaminants in organic wastes which could pollute the soil can be significantly reduced using earthworms. This Research Topic will provide a comprehensive overview of the role of earthworms in vermiremediation and how this serves as a very effective technique for soil management. The work must be carried out to improve and explore these techniques, as they hold the key to sustainable development.
The scope of this Research Topic will provide techniques and solutions for managing the waste, soil fertility enhancement, and decontamination of already contaminated sites. The challenges, technical feasibility, and gap of knowledge will be explored. We particularly welcome contributions concerning:
• Source and dispersal of contaminants in the soil.
• Comparative efficiency of different species of earthworm for vermiremediation and their role in sustainability.
• Physical, chemical, biological and microbial aspects involved in the vermiremediation of contaminated soils.
• New techniques involved in assisting vermiremediaiton of soil samples (including nanomaterials, adsorbents, chemicals, microbes, biochar, etc.).
• Plant assisted vermiremediation, its efficiency, and associated mechanisms.
• Tolerance of earthworms towards agrochemicals (pesticides, weedicide, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, potential toxic elements) in cultivated soils.
• Role of gut microflora in assisting vermiremediation.
• Vermiremediation in tackling microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
All article types are welcome, with an emphasis on Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives.
Vermiremediation is a developing technology that uses earthworms to restore organically contaminated soils. The earthworm has been known since ancient times for its important role in soil fertility management and litter nutrient cycling, by converting biodegradable materials and organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicast. During the last 30-40 years earthworms have been studied intensively in the various disciplines of animal ecology, pedology, waste recycling, agriculture science, soil biology and chemistry, ecotoxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences. They are largely referred to as Ecosystem Engineers, Farmers Friends, Ploughman of the field, and Intestine of the earth due to their important role in ground ecology. Apart from that, the earthworm has appeared as a promising tool for nutrient recycling. This is in various kinds of organic waste substances and the stabilization of industrial sludges.
During ‘The Green Revolution’, an extensive quantity of chemical pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers were used to increase crop yield. Initially, it increased the productivity of the soil but over time the productivity of the soil is reducing. The addition of earthworms and vermicompost to soil maintains an optimum level of soil media in terms of metal concentration, soil porosity and aeration, pH, and electrical conductivity. The joint action of earthworms and vermicompost has been worked to vermiremediate the contaminated soil and thus elevating the overall quality of the soil.
Anthropogenic activities contaminate the soil and raise many concerns in the scientific community. There is a significant need for reliable and nature-friendly techniques which address these concerns. Vermiremediation involves earthworms converting solid organic materials and wastes into vermicompost which acts as a soil conditioner and nutrient-rich manure. The contaminants in organic wastes which could pollute the soil can be significantly reduced using earthworms. This Research Topic will provide a comprehensive overview of the role of earthworms in vermiremediation and how this serves as a very effective technique for soil management. The work must be carried out to improve and explore these techniques, as they hold the key to sustainable development.
The scope of this Research Topic will provide techniques and solutions for managing the waste, soil fertility enhancement, and decontamination of already contaminated sites. The challenges, technical feasibility, and gap of knowledge will be explored. We particularly welcome contributions concerning:
• Source and dispersal of contaminants in the soil.
• Comparative efficiency of different species of earthworm for vermiremediation and their role in sustainability.
• Physical, chemical, biological and microbial aspects involved in the vermiremediation of contaminated soils.
• New techniques involved in assisting vermiremediaiton of soil samples (including nanomaterials, adsorbents, chemicals, microbes, biochar, etc.).
• Plant assisted vermiremediation, its efficiency, and associated mechanisms.
• Tolerance of earthworms towards agrochemicals (pesticides, weedicide, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, potential toxic elements) in cultivated soils.
• Role of gut microflora in assisting vermiremediation.
• Vermiremediation in tackling microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
All article types are welcome, with an emphasis on Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives.
