Effect of paraffin on the urease activity of soil

Accurate understanding of the effects of contaminants in soil is essential for management in bioremediation. The influence of soil pollution with petroleum hydrocarbons depended on the type of soil, petroleum hydrocarbons concentration in soil and mineral fertilization.Activity of the enzymes can give information on the kind and duration of the effects of contaminant on the metabolic activity of soil.So the aim of this work was to ascertain the effects of paraffin on soil urease activity. For this, Urease activity was studied in soil contaminated at a loading rate of 5%, 10% and 15% with paraffin on 2, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after contamination. The Results showed the urease activity increased after the addition of Paraffin 5% (0.6%). But with increases level Paraffin, the urease activity reduced. Thusurease activity in soil can be used as bioindicator ofanthropogenic stress caused by organic pollution.