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Assessing Cellulolysis in Passive Treatment Systems for Mine Drainage: A Modified Enzyme Assay
Author(s) -
McDonald Corina M.,
Gould W. Douglas,
Lindsay Matthew B.J.,
Blowes David W.,
Ptacek Carol J.,
Condon Peter D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2012.0124
Subject(s) - cellulase , tailings , chemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , substrate (aquarium) , drainage , environmental chemistry , enzyme assay , environmental science , pulp and paper industry , enzyme , biochemistry , ecology , biology , engineering , telecommunications
A modified cellulase enzyme assay was developed to monitor organic matter degradation in passive treatment systems for mine drainage. This fluorogenic substrate method facilitates assessment of exo‐(1,4)‐β‐D‐glucanase, endo‐(1,4)‐β‐D‐glucanase, and β‐glucosidase, which compose an important cellulase enzyme system. The modified method was developed and refined using samples of organic carbon‐amended mine tailings from field experiments where sulfate reduction was induced as a strategy for managing water quality. Sample masses (3 g) and the number of replicates ( n ≥ 3) were optimized. Matrix interferences within these metal‐rich samples were found to be insignificant. Application of this modified cellulase assay method provided insight into the availability and degradation of organic carbon within the amended tailings. Results of this study indicate that cellulase enzyme assays can be applied to passive treatment systems for mine drainage, which commonly contain elevated concentrations of metals.