Prospects of Organic Waste Management and the Significance of Earthworms

The main aim of this book is to bridge the gap between aerobic and anaerobic waste treatments by concentrating on studies of earthworms. In particular, vermicomposting is being discussed as well as its properties and applications. Other subjects touch on the treatment of palm oil mill effluents, the various importance of earthworms, its scope and future aspects of earthworm research, and the impact of waste management practices on human health.

1. Introduction to organic wastes and its management.- 2. An Introduction to anaerobic digestion of organic wastes.- 3. Composting – a traditional practice of waste treatment.- 4. General Introduction to earthworms, their classifications, and biology.- 5. Important digestive enzymes of earthworm.- 6. Microbial ecology associated with earthworm and its gut.- 7. Optimal conditions and environmental factors involved in breeding earthworms for vermicomposting.- 8. Vermicomposting – an earthworm mediated waste treatment technique.- 9. Vermicompost, its applications and derivatives.- 10. Vermifiltration of organic wastes: Palm oil mill effluent (POME).- 11. Earthworm based products, scope and future perspectives.- 12. Organic waste management practices and their impact on human health.