BSc (H), MSc, PhD
Research Member, Atmospheric Environment Research Centre
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Griffith School of Engineering
Research interests
My works on ‘Vermiculture Technology’ (Vermicomposting of Solid Wastes to Divert MSW from Landfills; Use of Vermicompost in Crop Production as a Sustainable Alternative to Chemical Fertilizers; Vermifiltration of Wastewater as a Sustainable Alternative to the Conventional Treatment Plants; and Vermiremediation of Contaminated Soils) has received national and international recognition and are being implemented on commercial scale in Australia, U.S. and India. Studies into ‘Vermiculture’ promises to make great benefits to both environment and society – converting ‘waste into wealth’ and ‘replacing the ‘destructive agro-chemicals’ for production of ‘chemical-free foods’.
We have also studied and reported that Vermicomposting of waste by earthworms significantly reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) specially the 310 times more powerful N2O. This has become a serious issue in waste management programs either by landfills or by conventional composting.
Selected Publications
- Sinha, Rajiv. K., Sunil Herat, Sunita Agarwal, Ravi Asadi, & Emilio Carretero (2002) Vermiculture Technology for Environmental Management : Study of the action of the earthworms Elsinia foetida, Eudrilus euginae and Perionyx excavatus on biodegradation of some community wastes in India and Australia; The Environmentalist, (U.K.), Vol. 22, No.2. June, 2002; pp. 261 – 268
- Sinha, Rajiv K, Gokul Bharambe & Uday Chowdhary (2008): Sewage Treatment by Vermi-filtration With Synchronous Treatment of Sludge by Earthworms : A Low-Cost Sustainable Technology Over Conventional Systems With Potential for Decentralization; The Environmentalist; (U.K).; Vol. 28: pp. 409 – 420
- Sinha, Rajiv K, Gokul Bharambe & David Ryan (2008):Converting Wasteland into Wonderland By Earthworms: A Low-Cost Nature’s Technology for Soil Remediation : A Case Study of Vermiremediation of PAH Contaminated Soil; The Environmentalist; (U.K.), Vol. 28: pp. 466 – 475
- Sinha, Rajiv K., Sunil Herat, Gokul Bharambe, Ashish Brahambhatt (2009): Vermistabilization of Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) by Earthworms: Converting a Potential Biohazard Destined for Landfill Disposal into a Pathogen Free, Nutritive & Safe Bio-fertilizer for Farms; J. of Waste Management & Research; (U.K.); (Published On-line August 26, 2009) (http://www.sagepub.com).
- Sinha, Rajiv K., Sunil Herat, Dalsukh Valani & Krunal Chauhan, (2009): “Vermiculture and Sustainable Agriculture’; American - Eurasian J. of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; ISSN 1818: 5 (S); pp. 01- 55; IDOSI Publication (Special Issue)
- Sinha, Rajiv, K. (2009): Earthworms : The Miracle of Nature (Charles Darwin’s ‘Unheralded Soldiers of Mankind & Farmer’s Friends); Guest Editorial; The Environmentalist (U.K.); Vol. 29 (4): 339-340
