Multiple purposes in the right environment
No matter the application, enzymes serve two general purposes: speeding up and facilitating chemical reactions. The increase in rate of reaction afforded by enzymes allows living things to carry out chemical tasks that could essentially take thousands of years.
Enzymes do not have universal functionality, however. Their activity varies with the environment. For instance, temperature, pH changes, water activity, ionic strength, and other variables determine whether an enzyme is just a useless protein or a catalyst capable of performing its duties.
For example, why are insects not seen flying around during the winter? One reason is related to enzymes. Insects cannot maintain their body heat during the winter, which slows down enzymatic activity. The enzymes insects use to maintain life are only effective in a specific temperature range. Therefore, an enzyme that is effective in one environment may be completely inactive when introduced into another.
As another example, using an enzyme in a swimming pool that is not chlorine tolerant would be counterproductive. Fortunately, the enzymes used for recreational water treatment are effective and compatible with a wide range of pool and spa parameters and maintenance products.
Sanitizer compatibility
Chlorine and bromine systems are equally compatible with pool and spa enzymes. Weekly shocks do not interfere with enzymatic activity if the enzymes have been chosen specifically for pool and spa use.
Algaecides, whether being used for routine maintenance or treatment, are also compatible with pool and spa enzymes. Other pool and spa water treatment accessories such as clarifiers can be used in the presence of enzymes as well. The reason why they have such varied compatibility is the enzyme’s specificity.
Enzymes are highly specific in the reactions they facilitate; however, sanitizers, oxidizers, clarifiers, and scale inhibitors, for example, do not react with enzymes employed for pool and spa use.
