Cadmium sorption by vermicompost produced from recycled organic wastes

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal and therefore represents a potential threat to the environment and human health. A study has been carried out to evaluate the sorption and kinetics of Cadmium in various types of vermicompost. The experiment was conducted on six different types of vermicompost at Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Banaras Hindu University. Six vermicompost bins/units were developed for decomposition of a few selected base materials like, temple wastes, vegetable crop residues, grass residues, dry mango leaf litter, regular farmyard manure and Cow dung. The study concludes that vermicompost is an effective adsorbent for the removal of Cd (II) metal ions from its aqueous solution. Vermicompost is able to adsorb nearly 80-99% of the cadmium in solution at variable concentrations. Vermicompost can thus be recommended for application to the soil for removal of Cadmium, and owing to its good nutrient composition it would prove helpful in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Copyright © EM International.