[USCC] FW: CNN story on remediating heavy metals in soils with worms in India

[Cathy Gill]

That is definately a good feature of earthworms, but the toxic waste has to 
go somewhere, right? So, is it safe to assume that the toxic wastes stay in 
the earthworm's body, until it dies, and when the body decomposes, it would 
release the wastes back into the soil? Or do they metabolize the wastes? I 
know very little about vermicomposting nor about using worms to detox soils, 
but it seems to me that it would be very hard to make sure to remove all 
toxic-laden earthworm bodies from the soil/compost.

~Cathy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lowell Prag" <lprag at mail.msen.com>
To: "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: [USCC] FW: CNN story on remediating heavy metals in soils with 
worms in India


> On Thu, October 25, 2007 6:52 pm, Karin Grobe wrote:
> Story and video at
>
> http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/22/eco.about.worms/
>
>
> Karin Grobe
> Organic Recyclers Anonymous
>
> ----------------
>
> Hello,
>
> Regarding this excerpt:
>
> "...
> Scientists in India have found that worms' digestive systems and
> regenerative abilities are so remarkable that they can actually absorb
> toxic materials yet expel toxic-free manure. According to the Indian
> newspaper, India Together, researchers in Gujarat have found that worms
> can "detox" the organic parts of the industrial sludge which results from
> the effluent treatment of industrial or hazardous waste.
> ..."
>
> No mention of the effects on the worms.
>
> Regards,
>
> Lowell Prag
>
>
>
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