Methods to determine enzymatic activity in contaminated soils

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21142/SS-0501-2024-e092

Keywords:

soils, bioremediation, remediation enzymes, soil polluant

Abstract

Soil is impacted by a range of anthropogenic activities, such as mining, agriculture and livestock, with the resulting contamination negatively affecting biodiversity and food security. Enzymatic activity constitutes one of the most important indicators of the state of soil, and it also enables the conducting of bioremediation and restoration processes, without generating waste. In this context, the aim of this research was to analyze the bibliographic information available on the main methods for determining enzymatic activity in contaminated soils, on the Scielo, Redalyc, Google Scholar and Dialnet portals. For this work, we selected four fundamental enzymes. Urease, one of the enzymes involved in the nitrogen cycle, in addition to participating in carbon hydrolysis, is determined by the method described by Tabatabai and Bremner. β-glucosidases act in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates and are considered indicators of metabolism; the method applied is colorimetry. Phosphatases are responsible for the hydrolysis of esters for the availability of microorganisms and are determined using the spectrophotometric method. Finally, catalases serve as an indicator of aerobic microbial activity, and they are determined using the Johnson and Temple method. These methods, which are widely used and provide valuable information on enzymatic activity in soil, also have certain limitations, due mainly to the influence of environmental factors. This suggests the need for further research, in order to surmount current limitations and achieve greater precision in the measurement of enzymatic activity in contaminated soils.

Author Biographies

  • Armando Jesus Edilberto Velez Azañero, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal

    Maestro en Administración de negocios - MBA por la Universidad Científica, doctorando en Ciencias y Tecnologías Medioambientales por la Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA). Biólogo de la Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal (UNFV), especialista en gestión de proyectos socio-ambientales, y en el estudio de servicios ecosistémicos de ambientes lóticos. Consultor ambiental internacional, y docente universitario de posgrado y pregrado con más de diez años de experiencia en el área de investigación. Se ha desarrollado como jefe de los laboratorios de ciencias ambientales (suelo y agua), con partición en numerosos eventos científicos como ponente invitado, y es revisor de algunas revistas científicas del medio. Actualmente, asesor ambiental de la Municipalidad de Lurín, y docente universitario de la Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal.

  • Maricielo Alejandra Vera Riega, Universidad Científica del Sur

    Estudiante de Ingeniería ambiental de la facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, investigadora en el Grupo de Investigación de Acuicultura Sostenible  del LICMA. Coordinadora general del Circulo de Investigación de Ingeniería Ambiental (CIASUR).

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Published

2024-03-20