In-situ activity of soil enzymes

This project is designed to evaluate soil microbial turnover at in-situ soil conditions (soil temperature, pH and water content). Adaptions of new sensitive soil enzymatic activity measurementes (multiple enzyme assays using HPLC and fluorescence detection) are planned. Increasing gradients of temperature, pH and soil water content are investigated to describe and discuss differences between conventional enzyme assays (optimum conditions) and in-situ assays (at soil conditions). A possible adaption of the method for soil routine analysis in agricultural sciences is discussed.