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Effects of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on vermicomposting of dewatered sludge: studies based on the humification and microbial profiles of vermicompost

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Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are prevalent in dewatered sludge, and their presence increases the environmental risks associated with the subsequent sludge treatment process. However, until now, their potential effects on sludge vermicomposting have not been clarified. This study investigated the effects of NPs on sludge humification and microbial profiles during vermicomposting by comparing fresh dewatered sludge substrates with substrates mixed with 0 mg/kg NPs (control), 100 mg/kg TiO2, 500 mg/kg TiO2, 100 mg/kg ZnO, and 500 mg/kg ZnO. The results showed that addition of TiO2 and ZnO NPs to sludge did not significantly affect the growth rate of earthworms and the superoxide dismutase activity in their guts during vermicomposting. Moreover, higher concentrations of the selected NPs promoted the humification index of sludge by 20.7–49.6%, through the formation of polysaccharides, aromatic substances, and organic acids in final vermicomposts. Compared with the control without NP addition, bacterial community diversity was enhanced in treatments with TiO2 and ZnO NPs, and dominant genera differed according to the type and concentration of NPs. This study suggests that the presence of TiO2 and ZnO NP residuals modify the microbial community of sludge, thus promoting sludge humification during vermicomposting.

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Acknowledgments

We also thanks for the help of Prof. Yongzhi Chen for better revise this paper.

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Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Funding

This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51868036, 51668033), Foundation of A Hundred Youth Talents Training Program of Lanzhou Jiaotong University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China

    Xia Hui & Huang Kui

  2. Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China

    Huang Kui

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  1. Xia Hui
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Xia Hui performed the investigation, analyzed the data, and prepared the manuscript, who was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. Huang Kui designed and funded the experiment and revised the draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Huang Kui.

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Hui, X., Kui, H. Effects of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on vermicomposting of dewatered sludge: studies based on the humification and microbial profiles of vermicompost. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 38718–38729 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13226-9

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