Seasonal distribution of arylsulfatase in the marine environment at Porto Novo, East Coast of India

Abstract

Arylsulfatase activity was recorded in all the sediment samples collected from different biotopes (estuarine, backwaters and mangrove). The season as well as the nature of biotope influenced the enzyme activity. Highest activity was recorded in mangrove biotope, followed by backwaters and estuary (10.39, 4.93 and 4.71 <i>µ</i>g phenolphthalein g^-1 .h^-1 respectively). Irrespective of variations in biotope, higher activities, in general, were found during summer and premonsoon periods. Organic carbon, phosphate and sulfate influenced the enzyme activity. Organic carbon (0.75%) In particular was the chief influencing factor for maximum arylsulfatase activity (10.39 <i>µ</i>g phenolphthalein g^-1 .h^-1) in sediments. Eventhough phosphate did not affect much of the activity, sulfate concentration (5.06 mg.g^-1) inhibited the activity under natural conditions also.