Effectiveness of vermifiltration systems in wastewater bioremediation: a sustainable and cost-effective approach
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2025
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| author | Guanuchi Quito, Alexandra Elizabeth Aguado, Daniel Moreno, Yolanda |
| author_facet | Guanuchi Quito, Alexandra Elizabeth Aguado, Daniel Moreno, Yolanda |
| contents | <p><strong><span lang="EN-GB">Abstract</span></strong></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">In areas with limited access to conventional sanitation systems, as in rural areas, there is an imperative for sustainable alternatives for wastewater treatment. This study aims to demonstrate the efficiency of a domestic scale vermifilter system containing Eisenia foetida worms and coconut fibre as a substrate in reducing wastewater pollutants. The study evaluated 3 configurations: a filter without worms (control), a vermifilter with 15 cm of coconut fibre and another with 30 cm of coconut fibre. The last one was installed in a house in Baños district of Cuenca, Ecuador.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The results showed that the vermifilter with 30 cm of coconut fiber showed the optimal efficiency, achieving removals of 55.8% for COD, 56.4% for BOD<sub>5</sub>, 39.97% for nitrates, 59.65% for ammoniacal nitrogen, and 48.06% for total nitrogen.</span> <span lang="EN-GB">Furthermore, the system exhibited a remarkable efficacy in eliminating pathogenic amoeba, achieving up to 70.42% removal, and coliforms, with a removal rate of 60%. However, an increase in parameters such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and phosphates was also observed. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">To achieve the required disinfection, tertiary treatments were evaluated: activated carbon filters, which achieved 62% removal of amoebas and 35% of coliforms, and a subsurface constructed wetland, which reached 100% elimination of amoebas and 40% of coliforms.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">These findings demonstrate that the thickness of the coconut fibre and the inclusion of worms directly influence the removal of contaminants and microorganisms. This positions the vermifilter as a promising solution for sanitation in rural areas. However, it is recommended to complement this system with disinfection or tertiary technologies to guarantee the quality of treated water</span></span></p> <p> </p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17293187 |
| institution | Zenodo |
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| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
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| spellingShingle | Effectiveness of vermifiltration systems in wastewater bioremediation: a sustainable and cost-effective approach Guanuchi Quito, Alexandra Elizabeth Aguado, Daniel Moreno, Yolanda Amoeba Bioremediation Eisenia foetida Vermifilter Wastewater treatment <p><strong><span lang="EN-GB">Abstract</span></strong></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">In areas with limited access to conventional sanitation systems, as in rural areas, there is an imperative for sustainable alternatives for wastewater treatment. This study aims to demonstrate the efficiency of a domestic scale vermifilter system containing Eisenia foetida worms and coconut fibre as a substrate in reducing wastewater pollutants. The study evaluated 3 configurations: a filter without worms (control), a vermifilter with 15 cm of coconut fibre and another with 30 cm of coconut fibre. The last one was installed in a house in Baños district of Cuenca, Ecuador.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The results showed that the vermifilter with 30 cm of coconut fiber showed the optimal efficiency, achieving removals of 55.8% for COD, 56.4% for BOD<sub>5</sub>, 39.97% for nitrates, 59.65% for ammoniacal nitrogen, and 48.06% for total nitrogen.</span> <span lang="EN-GB">Furthermore, the system exhibited a remarkable efficacy in eliminating pathogenic amoeba, achieving up to 70.42% removal, and coliforms, with a removal rate of 60%. However, an increase in parameters such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and phosphates was also observed. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">To achieve the required disinfection, tertiary treatments were evaluated: activated carbon filters, which achieved 62% removal of amoebas and 35% of coliforms, and a subsurface constructed wetland, which reached 100% elimination of amoebas and 40% of coliforms.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">These findings demonstrate that the thickness of the coconut fibre and the inclusion of worms directly influence the removal of contaminants and microorganisms. This positions the vermifilter as a promising solution for sanitation in rural areas. However, it is recommended to complement this system with disinfection or tertiary technologies to guarantee the quality of treated water</span></span></p> <p> </p> |
| title | Effectiveness of vermifiltration systems in wastewater bioremediation: a sustainable and cost-effective approach |
| topic | Amoeba Bioremediation Eisenia foetida Vermifilter Wastewater treatment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17293187 |