Enzyme-clay interactions and their impact on transformations of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds in soil

Soil is a living system in which enzymes are present either free in solution or bound to clay and clay-humus complexes. Enzyme-clay interactions play a key role in transforming organic compounds in soil environments where the decomposition and synthetic processes are largely catalyzed by enzymes. Scientific evidence indicates that mineral colloids take part in the catalysis of degradative and synthetic reactions of organic compounds. Such information is essential to understanding the role of mineral colloids, the hidden half of the enzyme-mineral colloid complexes, in catalytic reactions. Despite the abundant literature on the enzyme interactions with pure crystalline aluminosilicates, the nature of enzyme association with soil constituents, including both clean and coated clay minerals and other mineral colloids, and the effect on soil processes still remain unclear. This study integrates the existing information, including recent findings on enzyme-mineral colloid interactions and their effect on natural and anthropogenic organic compound transformation in soil. Further, the study focuses on the catalytic role of enzyme-clay complex surfaces in toxic industrial and agricultural compound bioremediation in soil and water environments.