Environmental Adaptability of Earthworm in Sludge Treatment

Abstract:

A study is made of the physiological and ecological changes of earthworms treating biofilm sludge with different kinds of food,moisture contents and temperatures,and factors influencing sludge treatment as well.The results show that earthworms grow up quickly as they enjoy biofilm sludge with an average increase about 2.51%~3.9% in the weight per day.In the biofilm sludge with quartz sand medium,the ideal moisture content is 12%~18%,and temperature 15~25 ℃.The trend of changes of earthworms’ respiratory rate is basically consistent with that of the average gained weight.The temperature is an important factor to earthworms’ respiratory rate.When food is sufficient,earthworms’ respiratory rate in 25 ℃ is higher than that in 15 ℃,earthworms can not breathe normally when temperature is low (5 ℃),or high (35 ℃).