TY - JOUR

T1 - The use of fluorogenic substrates for measuring enzyme activity in peatlands

AU - Freeman, Chris

AU - Liska, Gerhard

AU - Ostle, Nicholas John

AU - Lock, Maurice A.

PY - 1995/8/1

Y1 - 1995/8/1

N2 - The fluorogenic model substrates, methylumbelliferyl [MUF]-β-D-glucoside, MUF-phosphate and MUF-sulphate, were used to investigate the activities of β-glucosidase, phosphatase and sulphatase, respectively, in Welsh peatland soils. The method was used to investigate depth dependent variations in enzyme activity in a riparian wetland, and flush channel wetland. The highest activities were found at depths of less than 10 cm, thus confirming other studies which suggest this upper depth to be the site of greatest microbial activity. The most serious limitation to the technique was found to be the (fluorescence) quenching effects of the phenolic materials that dominate peatland dissolved organic carbon. The problem necessitates the adoption of a time consuming quench correction procedure with every sample. Fluorogenic substrates have led to a greater understanding of the role of enzymes in other aquatic systems. It seems likely that they will prove of equal value in elucidating their role in nutrient cycling and the biogeochemistry of peatlands.

AB - The fluorogenic model substrates, methylumbelliferyl [MUF]-β-D-glucoside, MUF-phosphate and MUF-sulphate, were used to investigate the activities of β-glucosidase, phosphatase and sulphatase, respectively, in Welsh peatland soils. The method was used to investigate depth dependent variations in enzyme activity in a riparian wetland, and flush channel wetland. The highest activities were found at depths of less than 10 cm, thus confirming other studies which suggest this upper depth to be the site of greatest microbial activity. The most serious limitation to the technique was found to be the (fluorescence) quenching effects of the phenolic materials that dominate peatland dissolved organic carbon. The problem necessitates the adoption of a time consuming quench correction procedure with every sample. Fluorogenic substrates have led to a greater understanding of the role of enzymes in other aquatic systems. It seems likely that they will prove of equal value in elucidating their role in nutrient cycling and the biogeochemistry of peatlands.

U2 - 10.1007/BF02413020

DO - 10.1007/BF02413020

M3 - Article

VL - 175

SP - 147

EP - 152

JO - Plant and Soil

JF - Plant and Soil

SN - 0032-079X

IS - 1

ER -