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Exploring the effects of earthworms on bacterial profiles during vermicomposting process of sewage sludge and cattle dung with high-throughput sequencing

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Abstract

This study aims to reveal the effects of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on bacterial profiles during the vermicomposting process of sewage sludge and cattle dung with the high-throughput sequencing technology. The earthworms could accelerate organic degradation and improve the stabilization process. Moreover, the addition of earthworms not only affected the bacterial numbers, but also increased the bacterial community diversity. The activity of earthworms had significant effects on the bacterial community structure as the bacterial community was clearly different between the vermicomposting and the control treatment. Furthermore, the earthworms affected the physical and chemical properties of substrates, thus promoting the growth of some microorganisms, such as Flavobacteria, Acidbacteria, and Planctomycetes. Earthworms largely inhibited the growth of various human pathogenic bacteria. In summary, earthworms significantly affected the bacterial community in vermicomposting and it could be applied as an authentically effective technique for the stabilization of organic wastes.

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Funding

The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51508318; 51679168), the “Chenguang Program” (15CG53) of Shanghai Education Development Foundation, and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biofilm Technology, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Baoyi Lv, Meiyan Xing & Jian Yang

  2. College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China

    Baoyi Lv

Authors
  1. Baoyi Lv
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  2. Meiyan Xing
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  3. Jian Yang
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Correspondence to Baoyi Lv or Meiyan Xing.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Lv, B., Xing, M. & Yang, J. Exploring the effects of earthworms on bacterial profiles during vermicomposting process of sewage sludge and cattle dung with high-throughput sequencing. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 12528–12537 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1520-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1520-6

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