Study of Domestic Sewage Waste Treatment by the Polychaetes, Neanthes japonica and Perinereis nuntia var. vallata, on an Artificial Tidal Flat

In order to establish a new biological method of treating sewage waste, mass cultures of the polychaete annelids, Neanthes japonica and Perinereis nuntia var. vallata , were employed. These species are known to ingest a large quantity of sewage sludge extracted from domestic sewage treatment plants. During this study, laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the effects of changes in various environmental factors on sludge consumption and growth. A pilot plant with an artificial tidal flat simulating natural estuarine tidal flat conditions was constructed and operated as a habitat for the polychaetes. The suitability of this artificial tidal flat for the treatment of sewage waste was discussed.