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Role of earthworms in heavy metal accumulation

Keshav Singh* & Nishat Fatima
Vermibiotechnology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D. D. U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur U.P. India.
Received :16th April, 2019 ; Revised : 28th June, 2019

Abstract:– Due to rapid increase in urbanization in the whole world, there arises the problem of management for organic wastes. The process of vermicomposting is the method by which such waste materials can be remediated easily and the compost which is released can be used in growing food crops for human consumption. By using earthworms, the management of hazardous wastes with high metal contents can be done easily, because earthworms soak up or bioaccumulate these toxic heavy metals into their body tissues and make the soil and surrounding pollution free. The importance of earthworms for bioaccumulation and monitoring of metal pollution was widely recognized in terrestrial ecosystem. They have a great power of accumulation of these hazardous metals as a natural ecological indicator of soil contamination. The contamination which was done by heavy metals can cause severe impact on the functioning of soil ecosystem by affecting the activities of soil fauna as well. Therefore, vermibiotechnology is the best technique for management of biological waste and accumulation of heavy metals from soil by in-situ application of earthworms. Vermicompost is a good alternative of chemical fertilizers for production of crops and it also enhances the soil fertility. This is eco-friendly management process and protects our soil and ecosystem free from heavy metal contaminations by the vermiremediation process of earthworms.

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