Earthworm mediated vermitechnology for the eco-friendly transformation of coal mine wastes into organic amendment: an insight through metal benignity, microbial community structure, fatty acid profiles, and Sobol’s sensitivity analysis

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management

Abstract

This study explored vermitechnology to treat coal mine waste (CMW) and convert it into organic manure using Eisenia fetida, focusing changes in microbial community structure, nutrient cycling, and heavy metal (HM) detoxification. Post-treatment, CMW-based feedstocks exhibited neutral pH, reduced organic carbon, and increased availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), with WC1 [CMW + cow dung (1:1)] and WC2 [CMW + cow dung (2:1)] showing significant improvements. Microbial activity, assessed by microbial biomass carbon (MBC), compost respiration (BSR, SIR), and enzymatic activity (DHG, FDA), increased in all treatments, with WC1 showing the highest values. Vermicomposting also reduced the labile pool of HMs (Pb: 60.03%, Cu: 68.52%, Ni: 47.19%), with the highest reduction in WC1. Correlational and principal component analyses indicated that enhanced microbial abundance suppressed HM bioavailability. A PLFA-based study revealed that HMs-induced stress and feedstock composition altered microbial membrane fatty acid structures. Sobol sensitivity indices highlighted the microbial communities’ response to individual HMs. Overall, WC1 [CMW + cow dung (1:1)] proved most effective for microbial and earthworm growth, demonstrating its potential for reducing HM load in coal mine waste.

First Page

4448

Last Page

4464

DOI

10.1007/s10163-025-02372-8

Publication Date

11-1-2025

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