Selected enzyme activities as affected by free iron oxides and clay particle size1

Abstract

The effect of soil clay size phyllosilicates, particle size, and iron oxides on the activities of α‐ and β‐glucosidases, phosphomonoesterases, and urease were examined. The two clay fractions (0.2–2 and <0.2 μm) of selected soils had similar mineralogy and were illitic, kaolinitic, and smectitic in composition. In general, enzyme activities were reduced in the presence of clay size phyllosilicates. The montmorillonitic samples were the most effective inhibitors. Activities were generally lower in the presence of the finer clay fractions. The effect of iron oxides on enzyme activities varied. Acid phosphatase activity was significantly influenced by phyllosilicate type, iron oxides, and particle size. The inhibitory effect of phyllosilicates on acid phosphatase activity increased when iron oxides were removed from the clay fraction. Removal of iron oxides, on the other hand, enhanced the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Unlike β‐glucosidase, α‐glucosidase was deactivated in the presence of montmorillonitic and illitic samples regardless of clay particle size. The activity of urease was significantly reduced in the presence of iron oxides.