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Controls on the Recycling and Preservation of Biogenic Silica from Biomineralization to Burial

Controls on the Recycling and Preservation of Biogenic Silica from Biomineralization to Burial
Controls on the Recycling and Preservation of Biogenic Silica from Biomineralization to Burial
The recycling of biogenic silica (bSiO2) produced by diatoms is a vital process sustaining a significant fraction of primary production in the oceans. The efficiency with which bSiO2 dissolves controls the availability of nutrient silicon in the water column, and modulates the export of organic carbon to the deep sea Environmental conditions during biomineralization (temperature, nutrient availability, light, etc.) affect the silicification and weathering resistance of diatom frustules, while ecosystem processes, including grazing and aggregation, are determining factors for the recycling of bSiO2 in the water column. Bacterial colonization of dead diatoms leads to the decomposition of the protective organic layers allowing for the dissolution of bSiO2 to begin. The dissolution rate of diatom frustules is a function of the physicochemical properties of both the silica (e.g., specific surface area, degree of hydration and condensation, impurities) and the aqueous medium (e.g., temperature, pH, pressure, electrolyte composition). In sediments, the dissolution of bSiO2 is controlled by the presence of lithogenic minerals, aging processes and the build up of dSi in the pore waters. In particular, interactions between lithogenic silicate minerals and bSiO2 may initiate rapid diagenetic alterations that favor the preservation of bSiO2.
Biogenic silica, Dissolution, Diagenesis, Silicon cycle, Biomineralization
1876-990X
7-22
Loucaides, Socratis
5d0c31a4-269d-44a5-a858-13dc609ae072
Cappellen, Philippe
f8ac9fe7-da9a-4c95-b8d0-b34f6317bbea
Roubeix, Vincent
8f5a149b-5721-4e92-b066-5323e0a151a9
Moriceau, Brivaela
cf3209ee-d980-440a-bc4d-57f4ad025652
Ragueneau, Olivier
bf82bcd1-4b3d-4af0-9a37-5d1471b4d692
Loucaides, Socratis
5d0c31a4-269d-44a5-a858-13dc609ae072
Cappellen, Philippe
f8ac9fe7-da9a-4c95-b8d0-b34f6317bbea
Roubeix, Vincent
8f5a149b-5721-4e92-b066-5323e0a151a9
Moriceau, Brivaela
cf3209ee-d980-440a-bc4d-57f4ad025652
Ragueneau, Olivier
bf82bcd1-4b3d-4af0-9a37-5d1471b4d692

Loucaides, Socratis, Cappellen, Philippe, Roubeix, Vincent, Moriceau, Brivaela and Ragueneau, Olivier (2012) Controls on the Recycling and Preservation of Biogenic Silica from Biomineralization to Burial. Silicon, 4 (1), 7-22. (doi:10.1007/s12633-011-9092-9).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The recycling of biogenic silica (bSiO2) produced by diatoms is a vital process sustaining a significant fraction of primary production in the oceans. The efficiency with which bSiO2 dissolves controls the availability of nutrient silicon in the water column, and modulates the export of organic carbon to the deep sea Environmental conditions during biomineralization (temperature, nutrient availability, light, etc.) affect the silicification and weathering resistance of diatom frustules, while ecosystem processes, including grazing and aggregation, are determining factors for the recycling of bSiO2 in the water column. Bacterial colonization of dead diatoms leads to the decomposition of the protective organic layers allowing for the dissolution of bSiO2 to begin. The dissolution rate of diatom frustules is a function of the physicochemical properties of both the silica (e.g., specific surface area, degree of hydration and condensation, impurities) and the aqueous medium (e.g., temperature, pH, pressure, electrolyte composition). In sediments, the dissolution of bSiO2 is controlled by the presence of lithogenic minerals, aging processes and the build up of dSi in the pore waters. In particular, interactions between lithogenic silicate minerals and bSiO2 may initiate rapid diagenetic alterations that favor the preservation of bSiO2.

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More information

Published date: 2012
Keywords: Biogenic silica, Dissolution, Diagenesis, Silicon cycle, Biomineralization
Organisations: Ocean Biochemistry & Ecosystems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 347781
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/347781
ISSN: 1876-990X
PURE UUID: 7ab4ce62-6beb-4212-a5d3-70f953a5ace4

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Date deposited: 30 Jan 2013 10:44
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 12:51

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Contributors

Author: Socratis Loucaides
Author: Philippe Cappellen
Author: Vincent Roubeix
Author: Brivaela Moriceau
Author: Olivier Ragueneau

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