Arylsulfatase activity in salt marsh soils.

The presence of arylsulfatase(s) was confirmed in salt marsh soils. The temperatures of maximum activity and inactivation, the pH range over which the enzyme was active, and the K(m) values were similar to those of soil enzymes. Unlike soil arylsulfatases, however, the salt marsh enzymes do not appear to be repressed by sulfate. It is postulated that these enzymes may be necessary for the initiation of arylsulfate ester metabolism.