Biogenic silica composition and δ(13)C abundance in the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) Rivers with implications for the silicon cycle.

Title Biogenic silica composition and δ(13)C abundance in the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) Rivers with implications for the silicon cycle.
Authors Ran, X.; Xu, B.; Liu, J.; Zhao, C.; Liu, S.; Zang, J.
Journal Sci Total Environ
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.161
Abstract

The study was carried out to address a method for separation of terrestrial and marine biogenic silica (BSi) in estuaries based on BSi compositions and δ(13)C values in BSi associated organic matter (δ(13)CBSi). We used two world-class major rivers - the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) Rivers as examples to illustrate our approach. Our results for these rivers indicate that riverine BSi is comprised mainly of phytoliths and diatoms. River BSi concentrations vary with terrestrial inputs and in-stream primary production. Although the fluvial BSi sources are complex, the terrestrial δ(13)CBSi signals are quite unique (-24.7±0.8), significantly lower than the marine δ(13)CBSi values (-21.3±0.07, central Yellow Sea) (p<0.01). Thus, the variation of δ(13)C within BSi organic matter can provide terrestrial source information on the biogeochemistry of silicon in estuaries and the adjacent shelf. The δ(13)CBSi combination could potentially act as an efficient tool to study environmental change in coastal areas on decadal time-scales since this index may respond to variable terrestrial fluxes from land, as well as to changed phytoplankton assemblages in the coastal ocean.

Citation Ran, X.; Xu, B.; Liu, J.; Zhao, C.; Liu, S.; Zang, J..Biogenic silica composition and δ(13)C abundance in the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) Rivers with implications for the silicon cycle..

Related Elements

Silicon

14 Si 28.085500000 Silicon

See more Silicon products. Silicon (atomic symbol: Si, atomic number: 14) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 3 element with an atomic weight of 28.085. Silicon Bohr MoleculeThe number of electrons in each of Silicon's shells is 2, 8, 4 and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p2. The silicon atom has a radius of 111 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 210 pm. Silicon was discovered and first isolated by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1823. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust, by weight, and is the second most abundant element, exceeded only by oxygen. The metalloid is rarely found in pure crystal form and is usually produced from the iron-silicon alloy ferrosilicon. Elemental SiliconSilica (or silicon dioxide), as sand, is a principal ingredient of glass, one of the most inexpensive of materials with excellent mechanical, optical, thermal, and electrical properties. Ultra high purity silicon can be doped with boron, gallium, phosphorus, or arsenic to produce silicon for use in transistors, solar cells, rectifiers, and other solid-state devices which are used extensively in the electronics industry.The name Silicon originates from the Latin word silex which means flint or hard stone.

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