Measuring cellulose decomposition using Benchkote-paper, for the estimation of soil pollution with copper

Cellulose decomposition in paddy soil polluted by copper was determined by the use of polyethylene-backed absorbent paper (Benchkote) as a source of cellulose. It was shown that the paper is a suitable material for measuring the rate of cellulose decomposition. Correlations were found between copper content in the soil, the growth of rice plants and the cellulose decomposition rate.