Dissolution dominates silica cycling in a shelf sea autumn bloom

Abstract

Autumn phytoplankton blooms represent key periods of production in temperate and high-latitude seas. Biogenic silica (bSiO₂) production, dissolution, and standing stocks were determined in the Celtic Sea (United Kingdom) during November 2014. Dissolution rates were in excess of bSiO₂ production, indicating a net loss of bSiO₂. Estimated diatom bSiO₂ contributed ≤10% to total bSiO₂, with detrital bSiO₂ supporting rapid Si cycling. Based on the average biomass-specific dissolution rate (0.2 day⁻¹), 3 weeks would be needed to dissolve 99% of the bSiO₂ present. Negative net bSiO₂ production was associated with low-light conditions (<4 E·m⁻²·day⁻¹). Our observations imply that dissolution dominates Si cycling during autumn, with low-light conditions also likely to influence Si cycling during winter and early spring.

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