Reduction Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Treatment of the Processing Wastewaters Containing Heavy Metals with the Method Based on Flotation

Treatment of the Processing Wastewaters Containing Heavy Metals with the Method Based on FlotationThe aim of the studies carried out at full technological scale was to indicate optimal systems of the two-stage precipitation and coagulation (PIX 113 - SAX 18, PAX XL1 - SAX 18, ALCAT 102 - lime milk and SAX 18 - PAX 16) in the process of eliminating heavy metals from wastewaters made in the processing plant producing sub-systems for domestic appliances. Precipitated pollutions were thickened by flocculation and separated by hydrogen peroxide enhanced pressure flotation. The experimental installation of maximal flow capacity: 10.0 m3/d consisted of: the storage-equalization tank, the processing pipe reactor, the pressure flotation station, and the reagent preparation and dosing station. Optimal doses of reagents and a flocculent as well as pressure and saturation time were defined for which maximal reductions in the load of heavy metals were achieved. The usefulness of hydrogen peroxide as a means of enhancing flotation was tested. The use of two-stage precipitation permitted the reduction in heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Sn, Zn), eg by applying ALCAT 102 - lime milk at the level exceeding 80%.

Reduction of Toxic Heavy Metals in Traditional Asian Herbs By Decoction Preparation

Heavy metal contents in traditional Asian herbs need to be monitored closely because of potential health risks of heavy metals at high concentrations. Total amount of toxic heavy metals (lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, mercury and arsenic) in each herb listed in the recipe of Ssanghwatang (one of the most popular herbal drinks in Korea) was 22.6-42.1 mg/kg as determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). These levels were notable because they were comparable to or above the guideline (30 mg/kg) set by Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). However, herbal tea prepared by decoction preparation (a process of extracting medicinal components from the herbs by boiling them in water) contained only 6.35-12.2 % of the original toxic heavy metals in the herbs. Instead the remainder of toxic heavy metals was found in the herbal residue and the hempen cloth filter. The result suggests that drinking herbal tea is a much safer way of taking beneficial nutrients from the herbs as compared with consuming the whole herbs.

Solidification of cement kiln dust using sulfur binder

The present study aims to offer a new methodology for consuming two industrial wastes; sulfur, from petroleum and natural gas industries, and cement kiln dust (CKD), from Portland cement industries, in construction industry. Sulfur solidified cement kiln dust material (SSCKDM) was manufactured by mixing molten sulfur, treated sulfur, CKD and sand at a controlled temperature in excess of 120 °C. The hot mixture was subsequently cast and shaped into the desired mold and was then allowed to solidify at a specified cooling rate. Solidified materials were immersed for time periods up to 28 days in distilled water at different temperatures of 25 and 60 °C, sea water, and acidic and basic universal buffer solutions of pH4 and pH9, respectively. Solidified material performance as function of time and type of aqueous solution exposed to was evaluated in view of compressive strength variations and leachability of metal and heavy metal ions. The results indicated that the solidified articles exhibit homogenous and compact internal microstructure with excellent mechanical properties. However, it showed durability problem upon exposure to aqueous solution environments due to the initial chemical composition of the CKD, whose leached test showed release of relatively high amounts of sulfates and alkali metals. Durability of SSCKDM articles in relation to strength reduction and crack formations control was improved by addition of glass fiber while, the use of anti-leaching agent such as anhydrous sodium sulfide resulted in reduction of leached heavy metals without any measurable decrease in leached amounts of alkali metals and anions from the solidified matrix. Furthermore, based on leachability index method of calculation, potential chemical mobility of metal and heavy metal ions from the solidified matrix was characterized as medium.

Is Phycovolatilization of Heavy Metals a Probable (or Possible) Physiological Phenomenon? An In Situ Pilot‐Scale Study at a Leather‐Processing Chemical Industry

Using algae to treat industrial effluents containing heavy metals presents an alternative to the current practice of using other biosorbents and physical and chemical methods. In this study, effluent from a leather-processing chemical industry in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India, was treated for the removal of heavy metals using the microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, which was isolated from the effluent itself. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the mass balance of a model parameter, lead, in laboratory conditions and estimate the lead adsorption capabilities of the microalga and (2) conduct pilot-scale studies for the removal of heavy metals, using the microalga, from the effluent and the solid waste accumulated over the years generated by conventional treatment methods. The results of the study show that after 8 hours, Chlorella vulgaris exhibited a better adsorption capacity under sunlight compared to laboratory conditions (i.e., 30.6 mg/g dry weight vs 10.5 mg/g dry weight, respectively). Similarly, reduction of heavy metals and mass balance in pilot-scale field studies conducted in a high-rate algal pond showed that the microalga, apart from adsorption, complexation, and entrapment mechanisms, is likely to possess phycovolatilization capability probably via biotransformation processes.

Ground Water in Certain Sites in Egypt and Its Treatments Using a New Modified Ion Exchange Resin—Characterization of Water and Modified Ion Exchange

The present work is a comprehensive of drinking water quality. Eleven groundwater samples were taken from various rural regions of Egypt, the groundwater samples were investigated for chemical, radiometric and heavy metals analyses, the major cations including; sodium ( ), potassium ( ), calcium ( ) and magnesium ( ) ions species, the major anions of chloride ( ), sulphate ( ), nitrite ( ), phosphate ( ). Radiometric analyses in water expressed as the gross alpha and beta activity concentrations, heavy metals analyses including arsenic ( ), lead ( ), cobalt ( ), manganese ( ), iron ( ) and cadmium ( ) ions. The groundwater samples were found to contain high concentrations of heavy metals than the limited values of the world health organization (WHO). Heavy metals speciation were performed using MinteqA2 geochemical code. A modified exchange resin was prepared by polymerization of the condensed dioxalayl p-sulphanilamide with phenol, this ion exchange resin was examined by the different techniques such as; x-ray diffraction, infra red spectra (IR), and electronic microscopic, it was found a good adsorbent material that used for the reduction of heavy metals from contaminated groundwater samples.

Industrial wastewater pre-treatment for heavy metal reduction by employing a sorbent-assisted ultrafiltration system

This work examined the adoption of a sorbent-assisted ultrafiltration (UF) system for the reduction of Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) from industrial wastewater. In such a system metals were removed via several processes which included precipitation through the formation of hydroxides, formation of precipitates/complexes among the metal ions and the wastewater compounds, adsorption of metals onto minerals (bentonite, zeolite, vermiculite) and retention of insoluble metal species by the UF membranes. At pH = 6 the metal removal sequence obtained by the UF system was Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) in mg g −1 with significant amount of lead and copper being removed due to chemical precipitation and formation of precipitates/complexes with wastewater compounds. At this pH, zinc and nickel adsorption onto minerals was significant, particularly when bentonite and vermiculite were employed as adsorbents. Metal adsorption onto zeolite and bentonite followed the sequence Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II), while for vermiculite the sequence was Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II) in mg g −1. The low amount of Pb(II) and Cu(II) adsorbed by minerals was attributed to the low available lead and copper concentration. At pH = 9 the adoption of UF could effectively reduce heavy metals to very low levels. The same was observed at pH = 8, provided that minerals were added. The prevailing metal removal process was the formation of precipitates/complexes with wastewater compounds.

Reducing volatilization of heavy metals in phosphate-pretreated municipal solid waste incineration fly ash by forming pyromorphite-like minerals

This research investigated the feasibility of reducing volatilization of heavy metals (lead, zinc and cadmium) in municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash by forming pyromorphite-like minerals via phosphate pre-treatment. To evaluate the evaporation characteristics of three heavy metals from phosphate-pretreated MSWI fly ash, volatilization tests have been performed by means of a dedicated apparatus in the 100–1000 °C range. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test and BCR sequential extraction procedure were applied to assess phosphate stabilization process. The results showed that the volatilization behavior in phosphate-pretreated MSWI fly ash could be reduced effectively. Pyromorphite-like minerals formed in phosphate-pretreated MSWI fly ash were mainly responsible for the volatilization reduction of heavy metals in MSWI fly ash at higher temperature, due to their chemical fixation and thermal stabilization for heavy metals. The stabilization effects were encouraging for the potential reuse of MSWI fly ash.

Bioremediation of Co-contamination of Crude Oil and Heavy Metals in Soil by Phytoremediation Using Chromolaena odorata (L) King & H.E. Robinson

The capability of Chromolaena odorata (L) to grow in the presence of different concentrations of three heavy metals in crude oil-contaminated soil and its capability to remediate the contaminated soil was investigated using pot experiments. C. odorata plants were transplanted into contaminated soil containing 50,000 mg kg−1 crude oil and between 100 and 2,000 mg kg−1 of cadmium, nickel, and zinc and watered weekly with water containing 5% NPK fertilizer for 180 days. C. odorata did not show any growth inhibition in 50,000 mg kg−1 crude oil. Plants in experiments containing 2,000 mg kg−1 Cd showed little adverse effect compared to those in Zn-treated soil. Plants in 1,000 and 2,000 mg kg−1 Ni experiments showed more adverse effects. After 180 days, reduction in heavy metals were: 100 mg kg−1 experiments, Zn (35%), Cd (33%), and Ni (23%); 500 mg kg−1, Zn (37%), Cd (41%), and Ni (25%); 1,000 mg kg−1, Zn (65%), Cd (55%), and Ni (44%); and 2,000 mg kg−1, Zn (63%), Cd (62%), and Ni (47%). The results showed that the plants accumulated more of the Zn than Cd and Ni. Accumulation of Zn and Cd was highest in the 2,000 mg kg−1 experiments and Ni in the 500 mg kg−1 experiments. Crude oil was reduced by 82% in the experiments that did not contain heavy metals and by up to 80% in the heavy metal-treated soil. The control experiments showed a reduction of up to 47% in crude oil concentration, which was attributed to microbial action and natural attenuation. These results show that C. odorata (L) has the capability of thriving and phytoaccumulating heavy metals in contaminated soils while facilitating the removal of the contaminant crude oil. It also shows that the plant’s capability to mediate the removal of crude oil in contaminated soil is not significantly affected by the concentrations of metals in the soil.

Thermodynamic analysis of regulation in metabolic networks using constraint-based modeling

BackgroundGeobacter sulfurreducens is a member of the Geobacter species, which are capable of oxidation of organic waste coupled to the reduction of heavy metals and electrode with applications in bioremediation and bioenergy generation. While the metabolism of this organism has been studied through the development of a stoichiometry based genome-scale metabolic model, the associated regulatory network has not yet been well studied. In this manuscript, we report on the implementation of a thermodynamics based metabolic flux model for Geobacter sulfurreducens. We use this updated model to identify reactions that are subject to regulatory control in the metabolic network of G. sulfurreducens using thermodynamic variability analysis.FindingsAs a first step, we have validated the regulatory sites and bottleneck reactions predicted by the thermodynamic flux analysis in E. coli by evaluating the expression ranges of the corresponding genes. We then identified ten reactions in the metabolic network of G. sulfurreducens that are predicted to be candidates for regulation. We then compared the free energy ranges for these reactions with the corresponding gene expression fold changes under conditions of different environmental and genetic perturbations and show that the model predictions of regulation are consistent with data. In addition, we also identify reactions that operate close to equilibrium and show that the experimentally determined exchange coefficient (a measure of reversibility) is significant for these reactions.ConclusionsApplication of the thermodynamic constraints resulted in identification of potential bottleneck reactions not only from the central metabolism but also from the nucleotide and amino acid subsystems, thereby showing the highly coupled nature of the thermodynamic constraints. In addition, thermodynamic variability analysis serves as a valuable tool in estimating the ranges of ΔrG' of every reaction in the model leading to the prediction of regulatory sites in the metabolic network, thereby characterizing the regulatory network in both a model organism such as E. coli as well as a non model organism such as G. sulfurreducens.

Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) Removal from Contaminated Water by Biosorption Using Activated Sludge Biomass

AbstractBiosorption using activated sludge biomass (ASB) as a potentially sustainable technology for the treatment of wastewater containing different metal ions (Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II)) was investigated. ASB metal uptake clearly competed with protons consumed by microbial biomass compared with control tests with non‐activated sludge biomass. Biosorption tests confirmed maximum exchange between metal ions and protons at pH 2.0–4.5. It was revealed by the study that the amount of metal ions released from the biomass increased with biomass sludge concentration. The result showed that maximum absorption of metal ions was observed for Cd(II) at pH 3.5, Pb(II) at pH 4.0, and pH 4.5 for Zn(II) ions. The maximum absorption capacities of ASB for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were determined to be 59.3, 68.5 and 86.5%, respectively. The biosorption of heavy metals was directly proportional to ASB stabilization corresponding to a reduction in heavy metals in the order of Cd < Pb < Zn. The order of increase of biosorption of metal ions in ASB was Zn(II) < Pb(II) < Cd(II), and this was opposite to that of non active sludge. The results indicate that ASB is a sustainable tools for the bioremediation of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from industrial sludge and wastewater treatment plants.

APPLICATION OF SHALLOW POND SYSTEM USING WATER HYACINTH FOR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF HIGH TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS) AND HEAVY METAL SALTS

The use of aquatic macrophytes for the domestic wastewater treatment is increasing in various parts of the world. The aim of this study is to examine the potential of shallow pond system using water hyacinth (Echhornia crassipes) along with the microorganisms present in the bio-film attached to the roots and water column for treatment of domestic wastewater in the presence of high total dissolved solids (TDS) and heavy metal salts. The shallow pond system is different from conventional water hyacinth system and it has high oxygen rich zone to provide the superior growth of aerobic microorganism. The studies indicate that, water hyacinth can tolerate TDS up to 2000 mg/L in the shallow pond system. The heavy metal removal is a function of phytoaccumulation or phytoextraction, which can lead to morphological deformity if heavy metals exceed the saturation limit of 268 & 2152 mg/kg Cd, 381 & 3372 mg/kg Cu, 229 & 1850 mg/kg Ni, 462 & 2764 mg/kg Zn, in shoots and roots respectively. The reduction in TDS is marginal (19%) at the highest tolerable limit whereas the heavy metal reduction is 66 %, 68 %, 64 %, 70 % for Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn respectively at the outlet of the treatment system. The sewage treatment performance of the shallow pond water hyacinth system for all other parameters is estimated as 81 % Chemical oxygen demand (COD), 91 % Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), 16 % Total dissolved solids (TDS), 70 % Total suspended solids (TSS), 4 % Chlorides, 74 % Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), 41 % Phosphate (PO4-P), 96 % Most probable number (MPN) and 98 % Total viable count (TVC) reduction.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a bacterial consortium for the removal of color, reduction of heavy metals, and toxicity from textile dye effluent

A microbial consortium DAS consisting three bacterial sp. originally obtained from dye contaminated sites of Solapur, India was selected because it was capable of decolorizing textile effluent and dye faster than the individual bacteria under static conditions. Identification of the isolates by 16S rRNA techniques revealed the isolates to be Pseudomonas species. The concerted metabolic activity of these isolates led to complete decolorization of textile effluent as well as Reactive Orange 16 (100 mg l −1) within 48-h at pH 7 and 30 °C. Studies involving Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) dye were carried with the bacterial consortium DAS to elucidate the mechanism of biodegradation. Induction of the laccase and reductase enzyme during RO16 decolorization indicated their role in biodegradation. The biodegradation of RO16 was monitored by using IR spectroscopy, HPLC and GC–MS analysis. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phytotoxicity studies carried out before and after decolorization of the textile effluent revealed the nontoxic nature of the biotreated sample.

Tratamento de solo contaminado: análise do encapsulamento de metais pesados

The aim of this work is to study the encapsulation technique, also known as solidification/stabilization in a soil contaminated with industrial residues composed by acid oily sludge. The methodology used was based on column leaching tests, along with chemical analyses of the leachate in samples with increasing amounts of Portland cement CP-V ARI as the encapsulating agent. The results demonstrate the ability of the equipment column leach testing in the analysis of the effectiveness of encapsulation. The encapsulation technique proved to be efficient in the reduction of heavy metals, due mainly to the pH increase and the precipitation of such components. Heavy metals Al, Cd, Mg and Zi had good rates of reduction, all above 90%.Key words: encapsulation, heavy metals, contaminated soil.

N-way exploration of environmental data obtained from sequential extraction procedure

The Tucker method, extended to cope with five-way data, was considered to study the effectiveness of a chosen remediation procedure and the effect of so-called ‘aging’ on the fractionation of heavy metals like Cu, Cd, Zn, Al, Pb, Fe and Mn in contaminated soil. Specifically, the goal was to understand the influence of soil pH (way 1) on the process of immobilization of those heavy metals (way 2) supposedly bound in different forms (way 3) in heavily contaminated soil samples amended with different amounts of organic matter (way 4) over time (way 5). The huge amount of data collected can be seen as a five-way array as — pH × heavy metals × extractions × organic content × time. The results obtained through the use of the five-mode Tucker model of definite complexity showed that the changes in mobility and bioavailability of metals over time are beneficial. In general, the potentially toxic elements that were analysed became less ‘available’ over time. The same tendency was observed with an increase in soil pH. It is worth noting that the amendment of soil with organic matter seems to have no influence on the mobility reduction of heavy metals in this case. This effect was probably masked by the predominant changes in mobility of metals over time.

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage and brewery sludge for biogas production and land application

In Thailand, sewage sludge production from the Bangkok metropolitan area can reach up to 63,000 ton/y by 2010. The Beer-Thai Company, Thailand, produces beer and generates lots of sludge as waste. Sewage sludge and brewery sludge can be used to generate energy which could be saved on the fossil fuels conventionally used as a source of energy. The possibility was explored to mix brewery sludge with sewage sludge at different mixing ratios for anaerobic digestion so that the energy can be generated as biogas and at the same time, digested sewage sludge can be used as fertilizer for agricultural applications. A batch anaerobic reactor under mesophilic condition for a digestion period of 40 days was used in the laboratory. The acrylic reactor was cylindrical with a working weight of 12 kg. The diameter was 23.7 cm and the height was 34.5 cm. Sludge mixtures at different ratios were fed into the reactors and the optimum mixing ratio was determined. Experimental results showed that the sludge mixture at ratio of 25:75 % by weight (sewage:brewery) yielded higher biogas production. A reduction in heavy metals and pathogens was observed at this ratio after the digestion indicating its safe use as fertilizer. Nitrogen content was about 4.95 % which is well above the commercial fertilizers. At optimum mixing ratio of 25:75, the amount of the generated biogas is 1.15×106 m3/y. This large amount of biogas is equivalent to 1.44 million kWh/y of electricity, 561,000 L/y of diesel oil and 936,000 L/y of vehicle gasoline.

Leaching Reduction of Heavy Metals by Carbonization Residue of Sewage Sludge as Covering Soil in Landfill

Leaching Reduction of Heavy Metals by Carbonization Residue of Sewage Sludge as Covering Soil in Landfill

Cleaning of a copper matte smelting slag from a water-jacket furnace by direct reduction of heavy metals

Cleaning experiments of a copper matte smelting slag from the water-jacket furnace was undertaken by direct reduction in a laboratory-scale electric furnace. The effects of coal-to-slag ratio, w, and the reduction time, t, were considered for two different coal/slag mixing procedures. In the first procedure, metallurgical coal was added to the molten slag, whereas in the second procedure, coal was premixed with the solid slag before charging into the furnace. The recovery of heavy metals (Cu, Co), and the fuming of Pb and Zn were investigated. Contamination of the metal phase by iron and the acidity index of the final slag were analysed as these may impede the economical viability of the process. The lower w value of 2.56% yielded a recovery rate of less than 60% for copper and less than 50% for cobalt, and around 70% for zinc. However, increasing w to 5% allowed the recovery of 70–90% for Cu, Co and Zn simultaneously after 30–60 min reduction of the molten slag. After reduction, the cleaned slags contained only small amounts of copper and cobalt (<0.4 wt%). Fuming of lead and zinc was efficient as the %Pb of the residual slag dropped to levels lower than 0.04% after 30 min of reduction. Ninety percent of the lead was removed from the initial slag and collected in the dusts. The zinc content of the cleaned slags quickly dropped to between 1 and 3 wt% from the initial 8.2% after 30 min reduction for w value of 5 and after 60 min reduction for w value of 2.56. The dusts contained about 60% Zn and 10% Pb. Recovery of lead from fuming of the slag was higher than 90% in all the experimental conditions considered in this study.

Efeito da adição de fontes de matéria orgânica como amenizantes do efeito tóxico de B, Zn, Cu, Mn e Pb no cultivo de Brassica juncea

Atividades humanas como mineração, siderurgia e aplicação de fertilizantes tornam a poluição por metais sério problema ambiental na atualidade. A fitorremediação - uso de plantas e da microbiota, associada ou não a adições de amenizantes de solo, para extrair, seqüestrar e, ou, reduzir a toxicidade dos poluentes - tem sido descrita como uma tecnologia efetiva, não-destrutiva, econômica e socialmente aceita para remediar solos poluídos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da mostarda na remoção de Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb e B de um solo contaminado e o efeito da adição de materiais orgânicos na redução da disponibilidade de metais pesados e B para essa planta. O trabalho foi realizado em casa de vegetação, com delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 x 5 com quatro repetições, utilizando 0, 7, 14, 21 e 28 g kg-1 de C no solo. Os materiais orgânicos utilizados foram: solomax, turfa e concentrado húmico mineral (CHM). A adição de turfa e concentrado húmico mineral reduziu os teores de Zn, Cu, Pb e B extraíveis do solo e na parte aérea da mostarda; contudo, essa redução não foi suficiente para impedir os efeitos fitotóxicos dos elementos. A adição dos materiais orgânicos promoveu aumento nos teores de Mn no solo, entretanto apenas o solomax proporcionou aumento na concentração do elemento na parte aérea das plantas. Os efeitos da turfa e do CHM sobre a disponibilidade de Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb e B no solo, a concentração na parte aérea e o crescimento das plantas indicaram o potencial desses materiais como agentes amenizantes de toxicidade e do solomax como auxiliar em programas de fitoextração induzida.

Enhancing the use of waste activated sludge as bio-fuel through selectively reducing its heavy metal content

Power plant or cement kiln co-incineration are important disposal routes for the large amounts of waste activated sludge (WAS) which are generated annually. The presence of significant amounts of heavy metals in the sludge however poses serious problems since they are partly emitted with the flue gases (and collected in the flue gas dedusting) and partly incorporated in the ashes of the incinerator: in both cases, the disposal or reuse of the fly ash and bottom ashes can be jeopardized since subsequent leaching in landfill disposal can occur, or their “pozzolanic” incorporation in cement cannot be applied. The present paper studies some physicochemical methods for reducing the heavy metal content of WAS. The used techniques include acid and alkaline thermal hydrolysis and Fenton's peroxidation. By degrading the extracellular polymeric substances, binding sites for a large amount of heavy metals, the latter are released into the sludge water. The behaviour of several heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Ni, Zn) was assessed in laboratory tests. Results of these show a significant reduction of most heavy metals.

Potential of Eisenia foetida for Sustainable and Efficient Vermicomposting of Fly Ash

Vermicomposting of fly ash has been attempted, using red earthworm, Eisenia foetida. Fly ash, which was obtained from thermal power station, was mixed with cowdung in different proportions (20, 40, 60 and 80%). These mixtures were used as feed for earthworms, and after 30 days, vermicast recovery, worm zoomass and numbers of juveniles produced were recorded. A total of six runs each of 30 days were conducted during the whole study. Concentrations of heavy metals in different mixtures of fly ash–cowdung, before and after vermicomposting and in the earthworms used in the study were also estimated. Results show maximum output of vermicasts and maximum number of juveniles produced was in reactors with 40% fly ash while maximum weight gain by earthworm was in 20% fly ash vermireactors. Performance of vermireactors up to 60% fly ash was more or less similar but at 80% fly ash, there is a marked reduction in overall performance of the reactors. Chemical analysis of different samples of fly ash–cowdung mixtures prior to vermicomposting revealed high concentrations of zinc, chromium, lead, nickel and copper. Chemical analysis of vermicomposted samples showed 30–50% reduction in heavy metals up to 60% fly ash and 10–30% reduction in 80% fly ash. Metal analysis of earthworms revealed considerable bioaccumulation of heavy metals in their body. The Present study indicates the feasibility of E. foetida for mitigating the toxicity of metals and up to 60% fly ash–cowdung mixtures can be used for sustainable and efficient vermicomposting.