Management of Aquatic Macrophytes by Vermicomposting: A Green Technology for Organic Resource Management, Nutrient Recovery, and Agricultural Sustainability
摘要
Aquatic macrophytes play essential roles in freshwater ecosystems, providing services such as habitat creation, nutrient cycling, water quality improvement, and aquatic food supply. However, the overgrowth of aquatic macrophytes, especially free-floating macrophytes, negatively affects the environment, causing reduced oxygen levels, altered water flow dynamics, decreased biodiversity, and nutrient supply to other planktonic species. Various physicochemical technologies have been utilized to regulate macrophytes, including mechanical removal, synthetic herbicides, and biological control methods. However, these methods often have limitations and can pose environmental risks. Aquatic weed biomass disposal is considered another alarming issue for water resource managers. In the past few years, there has been a surge of interest in exploring alternative and sustainable approaches to utilizing weed biomass for renewable bioresource development. One such approach is vermicomposting, which involves bio-conversion of organic waste into value-added products with the aid of earthworms, especially the use of epigeic species of earthworms such as Eisenia fetida. This green technology offers multiple benefits: meaningful biowaste management, nutrient recovery from waste biomass in manure, and protein-rich earthworm biomass as animal feed. This review presents a comprehensive framework on aquatic weed biomass management using earthworm technology and its possible utility in developing a waste-to-wealth system for sustainable development in various waste management and soil fertility development sectors.
Graphical Abstract