A preliminary study on using Chironomus sp. as a bioremediation egent for treating pond-based organic waste

Abstract

This study aims to utilize bloodworm (Chironomus sp.) as a bioremediation agent for treating pond-based organic waste. This experiment aims to determine the acceptability, consumption rate and the growth rate of Chironomus sp. on pond waste. This experiment was conducted with three treatments for 12 days which were growth of Chironomus sp. under organic free condition, degradation of pond waste by the autochthonous microbes and utilization of Chironomus sp. to enhance organic matter degradation in the pond waste. Results revealed that Chironomus sp. could consume0.64 mgC.g-1.day1 .ind-1 of pond waste. Microbial community in the pond waste isplaying a vital role in removing pond waste at 40.5 % of the organic waste byconsuming 1.61 mgC.g-1.day1The presence of Chironomus sp. in the system can further improved 57.3 % the removal rate of organic carbon. The growth rate of Chironomus sp. in the pond waste was determined at 1.36 x I 0-1 g C.day-1.ind-1 while the growth rate of Chironomus sp. in the organic free condition was determined at 7.8 x 10-2 g C.daf1 .ind 1. Overall, this experiment suggested that Chironomus sp. is a potential bioremediation agent for treating pond based organic waste.