This study showed that vermicompost can be used efficiently as
a filter for bioremediation of a wide variety of effluents. It also
indicated that vermicompost act as a biofilter as it brought a
decline in BOD, COD and TS of the effluent and changed its pH to
neutral. The adsorption of metals was dependent on the adsorbent
surface characteristics, adsorbent doses and concentration of
metals in the industrial effluent. The adsorption of all the four
metals was best fitted in Langmuir model and a few for Freundlich
model. The fitness of the Langmuir model in the present system
shows the formation of monolayer coverage of adsorbate on the
outer surface of the adsorbent i.e vermicompost. In such a
direction, vermitechnology may be an eco-friendly and effective
tool in reduction and reuse of waste materials. The technology will
be beneficial for municipal corporation, common people and
industries for safe and scientific disposal of their effluents.
Acknowledgment
We are thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC), New
Delhi for encouragement and financial assistance in form of a
Minor research project letter No. F.No. 8-1(151)/2010 (MRP/NRCB).