Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment
Inside sand filters, as inside other microporous substrates, several invertebrates create temporary burrows that impact on water movement through the filter. Lumbricids <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and <i>Eisenia andrei</i> live under a wide range of environmental conditions and hav...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1048 |
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| author | Océane Gilibert Magali Gerino Dan-Tâm Costa Sabine Sauvage Frédéric Julien Yvan Capowiez Didier Orange |
| author_facet | Océane Gilibert Magali Gerino Dan-Tâm Costa Sabine Sauvage Frédéric Julien Yvan Capowiez Didier Orange |
| author_sort | Océane Gilibert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Inside sand filters, as inside other microporous substrates, several invertebrates create temporary burrows that impact on water movement through the filter. Lumbricids <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and <i>Eisenia andrei</i> live under a wide range of environmental conditions and have a high reproduction rate so they are good candidates for ecological engineering tests. We assessed the impact of these species at different densities (0, 100, 500, 1000 g m<sup>−2</sup>) on the hydraulic conductivity of small-sized experimental filters made of columns filled with filter sand classically used for sanitation mixed with 5% organic matter. The hydraulic conductivity was recorded every 7 days over 37 days in non-saturated conditions. On day 23, 40 g of peat bedding was added at the column surfaces to simulate a surface clogging organic matter pulse input. Columns with an earthworm density equal or superior to 500 g m<sup>−2</sup> revealed the highest hydraulic conductivities during the first 21 days. At these densities, the hydraulic conductivity was also restored in less than 7 days after the addition of the surface organic matter, showing the influence of the earthworm species on the resilience capacity of the hydraulic conductivity. It was also highlighted that the hydraulic flow was dependent on the lumbricid densities with an optimal density/effect around 500 g m<sup>−2</sup> in this specific substrate composition. This study showed that the feeding habits and burrowing activity of both <i>Eisenia</i> species significantly enhanced the hydraulic flow in a sandy substrate, providing a sustainable solution to limit the clogging of the substrate similar to the one used in filters to treat wastewater. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:20:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be0570ac92ca4e5ba058ba004d720e18 |
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| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:20:32Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-be0570ac92ca4e5ba058ba004d720e182023-12-01T00:19:13ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-03-01147104810.3390/w14071048Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater TreatmentOcéane Gilibert0Magali Gerino1Dan-Tâm Costa2Sabine Sauvage3Frédéric Julien4Yvan Capowiez5Didier Orange6Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (LEFE), Université Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, FranceLaboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (LEFE), Université Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, FranceEpurtek SAS, 31520 Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceLaboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (LEFE), Université Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, FranceLaboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (LEFE), Université Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, FranceFrench National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), UMR EMMAH, UAPV, 84914 Avignon, FranceUMR Eco&Sols, IRD, CIRAD, INRAe, SupAgro Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, FranceInside sand filters, as inside other microporous substrates, several invertebrates create temporary burrows that impact on water movement through the filter. Lumbricids <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and <i>Eisenia andrei</i> live under a wide range of environmental conditions and have a high reproduction rate so they are good candidates for ecological engineering tests. We assessed the impact of these species at different densities (0, 100, 500, 1000 g m<sup>−2</sup>) on the hydraulic conductivity of small-sized experimental filters made of columns filled with filter sand classically used for sanitation mixed with 5% organic matter. The hydraulic conductivity was recorded every 7 days over 37 days in non-saturated conditions. On day 23, 40 g of peat bedding was added at the column surfaces to simulate a surface clogging organic matter pulse input. Columns with an earthworm density equal or superior to 500 g m<sup>−2</sup> revealed the highest hydraulic conductivities during the first 21 days. At these densities, the hydraulic conductivity was also restored in less than 7 days after the addition of the surface organic matter, showing the influence of the earthworm species on the resilience capacity of the hydraulic conductivity. It was also highlighted that the hydraulic flow was dependent on the lumbricid densities with an optimal density/effect around 500 g m<sup>−2</sup> in this specific substrate composition. This study showed that the feeding habits and burrowing activity of both <i>Eisenia</i> species significantly enhanced the hydraulic flow in a sandy substrate, providing a sustainable solution to limit the clogging of the substrate similar to the one used in filters to treat wastewater.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1048<i>Eisenia</i> sp.hydraulic conductivitysand filterwastewater treatment |
| spellingShingle | Océane Gilibert Magali Gerino Dan-Tâm Costa Sabine Sauvage Frédéric Julien Yvan Capowiez Didier Orange Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment Water <i>Eisenia</i> sp. hydraulic conductivity sand filter wastewater treatment |
| title | Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment |
| title_full | Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment |
| title_short | Density Effect of <i>Eisenia</i> sp. Epigeic Earthworms on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand Filters for Wastewater Treatment |
| title_sort | density effect of i eisenia i sp epigeic earthworms on the hydraulic conductivity of sand filters for wastewater treatment |
| topic | <i>Eisenia</i> sp. hydraulic conductivity sand filter wastewater treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1048 |
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