Bioremediation of textile dye effluents using indigenous earthworm Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

Abstract
The present study is intended to assess and monitor the Bioremediation of textile dye effluent using Lampito mauritii earthworm. The study focus on the bioremediation of surface water of SIPCOT dye industry Cuddalore district over a period of one year and has revealed variations among the different parameters at different study sites. For the analysis of surface water three sampling sites were selected for the study. In the area, from SIPCOT dye industry to Cuddalore district the parameters concentration was decreased and it is useful for drinking purpose. Heavy metals such as copper and zinc are essential elements for metabolic activities however they show toxic effects when exposed to higher levels whereas lead, mercury, cadmium and are not essential for metabolism which they exhibit toxic properties. The heavy metals of surface water in the study area are in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg (mg/L) respectively. Mercury, cadmium were noticed in least level in the non-industrial area whereas industrial area concentration of metals were slightly increased than the prescribed limits. The examination of water samples for bacteriological parameter includes MPN index, total heterotrophic bacterial colony count, morphological and biochemical characteristics. MPN is a suitable and widely used method to determine the microbial quality of water. Due to heavy rain the microbial load was increased during monsoon season. Based on morphology and biochemical characteristics, identify the species of the organism namely Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on motility, shape, size and structure, the organism was identified and based on IMVIC tests of biochemical reaction with production of acid and gas the organism was identified.