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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Vermicomposting leads to more abundant microplastics in the municipal excess sludge
ClearEffect of microplastics in sludge impacts on the vermicomposting
Researchers examined how adding polyethylene microplastic particles to sludge affects vermicomposting performance. The study found that higher microplastic concentrations reduced the efficiency of organic matter removal, impaired composting quality, and caused oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in earthworms, with bacterial diversity also declining in heavily contaminated treatments.
Microplastics identification and quantification in the composted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
Researchers quantified microplastics in composted organic municipal solid waste from five facilities, finding contamination levels that raise concerns about compost quality and the potential transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils through organic waste recycling.
Impact of Vermicomposting with Soil Enriched with Plastic and Different Biodegradable Wastes on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters of Soil
Researchers examined the impact of vermicomposting on soil enriched with conventional and biodegradable plastics, measuring how earthworm activity altered plastic fragmentation and soil properties. Results showed that vermicomposting accelerated the breakdown of some plastic types while earthworms ingested plastic particles, potentially dispersing them through the soil profile.
Microplastics generation and concentration during mechanical-biological treatment of mixed municipal solid waste
Researchers found that mechanical-biological treatment of mixed municipal solid waste generates and concentrates microplastics across multiple processing stages, with the stabilized organic output containing significant microplastic loads — raising concerns about the use of this material as compost or soil amendment.
Preliminary prospections on the fate of microplastics during vermicomposting of sewage sludge
Researchers tracked microplastic abundance through the vermicomposting stages of sewage sludge — from fresh sludge through aged sludge, vermicompost, and earthworm castings — finding a 52% reduction in microplastic concentration from initial sludge to vermicompost when particles were classified by size, color, and polymer type using micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Preliminary prospections on the fate of microplastics during vermicomposting of sewage sludge
Researchers tracked microplastic abundance through the vermicomposting stages of sewage sludge — from fresh sludge through aged sludge, vermicompost, and earthworm castings — finding a 52% reduction in microplastic concentration from initial sludge to vermicompost when particles were classified by size, color, and polymer type using micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Plastic contamination of composts derived from feedstocks with and without food waste
Researchers investigated plastic contamination levels in composts derived from feedstocks with and without food waste, examining how organic waste amendments may act as vectors for introducing plastic fragments into terrestrial soils. A vermiculture composting approach was used to assess the fate of plastics through the composting process.
The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-density Polyethylene Microplastics in Organic Material on Vermicomposting Process
Researchers assessed the effects of polyethylene terephthalate and low-density polyethylene microplastics on vermicomposting of organic material, measuring germination index, C/N ratio, worm survival, pH, and electrical conductivity and finding that both MP polymer types impair key composting process indicators.
Microplastic Analysis on Microbial Compost, Vermicompost, and Superworm Compost and Their Ecological Risk Assessment
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all three types of commercial organic compost (microbial, vermicompost, and superworm compost), raising concerns about introducing plastic pollution into agricultural soils through products marketed as environmentally friendly. The ecological risk assessment highlights that even compost used to improve soil health may be a vector for spreading microplastics in food-growing environments.
Vermicomposting as a potential strategy for microplastic reduction in organic waste: mini review
This review evaluates vermicomposting as a biological approach for reducing microplastic contamination in organic waste streams. Researchers found evidence that earthworms can physically fragment and partially break down certain types of microplastics during the composting process, though effects on earthworm health vary by plastic type and concentration. The study suggests that vermicomposting shows promise as a strategy for mitigating microplastic contamination in compost, but more research is needed on long-term impacts.
Composting treatment increases the risk of microplastics pollution in process and compost products
Researchers found that the composting process actually increases microplastic contamination rather than reducing it, breaking larger plastic pieces into smaller, more numerous particles. Even when visible plastics were sorted out before composting, the final compost still contained thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram. Since compost is widely applied to farm fields, this study reveals an overlooked pathway for microplastics to enter agricultural soil and potentially the food supply.
Review on advances in toxic pollutants remediation by solid waste composting and vermicomposting
Researchers review how composting and vermicomposting — using earthworms and microbes to break down organic waste — can neutralize heavy metals and persistent chemical pollutants in solid waste streams. Notably, earthworms have been found to break microplastics down into even smaller nanoplastics during digestion, raising new questions about whether vermicomposting spreads rather than eliminates plastic contamination.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in typical organic solid wastes and their biologically treated products
Researchers extracted and characterized microplastics from food waste, livestock manure, sludge, and their composted or digested products, finding MPs in all organic waste types with concentrations varying by matrix. The study highlights organic waste management pathways as an understudied route for microplastic transfer to agricultural soils.
Effect of agricultural microplastic and mesoplastic in the vermicomposting process: Response of Eisenia fetida and quality of the vermicomposts obtained
Researchers found that agricultural plastic waste in vermicomposting reduced earthworm survival by 10% and body weight by 15%, altered nutrient content of the resulting compost, and induced oxidative stress regardless of plastic particle size or UV pretreatment.
Organic amendments as vectors of micro and macro plastic pollution of terrestrial ecosystems
Researchers analyzed seven types of organic amendments commonly applied to farmland, including sewage sludge, manure, composts, and digestates, for microplastic contamination. They found microplastics in all samples, with sewage sludge containing the highest levels and a wide variety of polymer types. The study demonstrates that organic soil amendments are an important and underappreciated pathway through which both micro and macro plastics enter agricultural soils.
Microplastics as an underestimated emerging contaminant in solid organic waste and their biological products: Occurrence, fate and ecological risks
This review identified solid organic waste streams including compost, sewage sludge, and food waste as important but underappreciated repositories of microplastics that can reintroduce particles into agricultural soils and water systems. The authors call for standardized monitoring of microplastics in organic waste before environmental application.
Removal Potential of Microplastics in Organic Solid Wastes via Biological Treatment Approaches
This review examines biological treatment approaches — including composting, anaerobic digestion, and vermicomposting — for removing microplastics from organic solid wastes, finding that while these methods can reduce microplastic abundance, significant knowledge gaps remain about fragmentation and fate during treatment.
Plastics and other extraneous matter in municipal solid waste compost: A systematic review of sources, occurrence, implications, and fate in amended soils
Researchers reviewed contamination in municipal compost made from household organic waste, finding plastics are the most prevalent pollutant — with some batches containing enough plastic to deposit over 500 kg per hectare of farmland each year. Repeated use of contaminated compost builds up microplastics in soil, threatening soil health and potentially moving plastic particles into crops and food.
A systematic review of the occurrence of microplastics in compost: Understanding the abundance, sources, characteristics and ecological risk
Researchers reviewed 19 global studies and found microplastics in virtually all types of compost — including those made from animal manure, sewage sludge, and municipal waste — with concentrations reaching up to 288,000 particles per kilogram in some samples. Since compost is widely applied to farmland, these findings highlight a significant but overlooked pathway for microplastics to enter soils and the food chain.
Evaluation of vermifilter-treated domestic wastewater for irrigation and fertigation: opportunities and challenges for implementation
Researchers evaluated whether wastewater treated through vermifiltration could be safely reused for agricultural irrigation. They found that while the system effectively removed most organic micropollutants with 91% average efficiency, the effluent still required additional disinfection and treatment to meet irrigation safety standards, particularly for E. coli levels. The study also detected microplastics in the treated effluent, highlighting the need for further post-treatment steps before agricultural reuse.
Impact of Microplastics on the Carbon and Nitrogen of Vermicompost
This study evaluated the effect of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET microplastics on carbon and nitrogen content in vermicompost produced by earthworms. Microplastic addition altered C:N ratios in vermicompost, with effects on soil quality metrics relevant to agricultural use of this organic amendment.
Effects of Vermicompost on Soil and Plant Health and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
This review highlights vermicompost (worm-processed compost) as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for grain crops, improving soil quality, nutrient availability, and pest resistance. Vermicomposting can also help break down organic contaminants and emerging pollutants in soil. The approach is relevant to the microplastics challenge because healthier soils with more organic matter may better buffer against microplastic contamination.
Combination between Composting and Vermicomposting of OFMSW: A Sicilian Case Study
This paper is not about microplastics; it studies a combined composting and vermicomposting process for treating organic municipal solid waste using earthworms, with a focus on carbon-to-nitrogen ratios and heavy metal accumulation.
El vermicompostaje una alternativa para potenciar la agricultura urbana
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it is a Spanish-language review of vermicomposting techniques using earthworms to process organic solid waste for urban agriculture applications.