A method for assessing the toxicity of an aqueous matrix, providing for preparing a mixture of an aqueous solution of carbonic anhydrase isoform II and of a sample of the aqueous matrix, to which an aqueous solution comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) is added so as to start the enzymatic reaction of the carbonic anhydrase. The enzymatic activity of the carbonic anhydrase developed in the reaction between carbonic anhydrase and CO2 is then determined and the procedure is repeated with a solution that contains carbonic anhydrase to which the sample of aqueous matrix has not been added. Finally, the percentage of inhibition of carbonic anhydrase is calculated as percentage ratio between the enzymatic activity determined for the mixture with the aqueous matrix sample and the enzymatic activity of the carbonic anhydrase of the solution without the aqueous matrix sample. The inhibition percentage is directly proportional to the toxicity of the examined aqueous matrix.

A method for assessing the toxicity of an aqueous matrix, providing for preparing a mixture of an aqueous solution of carbonic anhydrase isoform II and of a sample of the aqueous matrix, to which an aqueous solution comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) is added so as to start the enzymatic reaction of the carbonic anhydrase. The enzymatic activity of the carbonic anhydrase developed in the reaction between carbonic anhydrase and CO2 is then determined and the procedure is repeated with a solution that contains carbonic anhydrase to which the sample of aqueous matrix has not been added. Finally, the percentage of inhibition of carbonic anhydrase is calculated as percentage ratio between the enzymatic activity determined for the mixture with the aqueous matrix sample and the enzymatic activity of the carbonic anhydrase of the solution without the aqueous matrix sample. The inhibition percentage is directly proportional to the toxicity of the examined aqueous matrix.