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Feasibility of vermicomposting of aquaculture solid waste on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: A pilot study
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Feasibility of vermicomposting of aquaculture solid waste on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: A pilot study

S. Birch, R. Bell, J. Nair and P.V. Cao
Vermitechnology II. Dynamic Soil, Dynamic Plant 4 (Special Issue 1), pp.127-134
Global Science Books, Ltd.
2010
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Abstract

The disposal of aquaculture waste from freshwater pond systems on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, is causing serious pollution of waterways. Currently, there are few treatment options available for aquaculture wastes. This study investigates the use of vermicomposting to treat the solid component of the waste, aquaculture sludge (AS). Perionyx excavatus was used to vermicompost various proportions of AS, rice straw (RS) and water hyacinth (WH). Worm mortality rates ranged from 28 to 77% but there were no significant differences between treatments. Worm reproduction appeared to be increased where higher proportions (> 80%) of AS were used however the treatment with 100% AS had the lowest number of juvenile worms (1.3 ± 0.3 per 50 g substrate). Total N increased significantly with increasing bulking material and final values ranged from 0.4 to 0.9%. Total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and available P and K were significantly higher in treatments with WH than treatments with RS as a bulking material due to the initial composition of this material. It was concluded that AS from freshwater pond systems on the Mekong Delta can be effectively treated by vermicomposting and may have potential for subsequent use as an agricultural fertiliser.

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