Compost quality, earthworm activities and microbial communities in biochar-augmented vermicomposting of dewatered activated sludge: the role of biochar particle size

Abstract

Vermicomposting utilizes the synergistic effect of earthworms with microorganisms to accelerate the stabilization of organic matter in biowastes. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism behind the maturity of vermicompost and the growth of earthworms exposed to biochar of varying particle sizes remains unclear. This study presents an investigation of the effect of biochar particle size on earthworm (Eisenia fetida) survival, microbial diversity, and the quality of vermicompost products. To address these issues, pelletized dewatered sludge samples from a municipal sewage treatment plant were amended with pine-based biochar with particle sizes of 1–2 mm, 25–75 μm, 200 nm, and 60 nm as the substrate for vermicomposting. This study revealed that the addition of millimeter-scale biochar and micron-scale biochar significantly promoted the degradation of organic matter since the organic matter in the treatment with 1–2 mm biochar at the end of the vermicomposting experiment decreased by 12.6%, which was equivalent to a 1.9-fold increase compared with that of the control. Excessive nanopowdering of nanobiochar significantly affected the survival of earthworms and led to 24.4–33.3% cumulative mortality, while millimeter-scale (mm) biochar and micron-scale (μm) biochar achieved zero mortality. The findings of this study could be used for evaluating the potential impact of nanoscale biochar to earthworms and guiding biochar-augmented vermicomposting.

Highlights

1.	The addition of 1–2 mm biochar resulted in a 1.9-fold greater reduction in organic matter compared to the control group.
2.	The introduction of 25–75 μm biochar led to a significant 94% increase in earthworm cocoons.
3.	The cumulative mortality rates of 200 nm and 60 nm biochar amendment reached peaks of 33.3% and 24.4% at first week, respectively.
4.	Earthworms excrete mucus that effectively removes attached nanobiochar.

Keywords

Sewage sludge / Vermicomposting / Biochar / Particle sizes / Eisenia fetida / Gut microbes

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52000144); Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities of the Central South University(22120220553); Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2023-3-YB-11)