Biogenic silica dynamics in coastal wetland sediments: A key driver of silicon and carbon biogeochemical cycling

Abstract Biogenic silica (biogenic Si) is a bioactive component crucial for the biogeochemical cycling of Si in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Its formation and dissolution dynamics are intricately linked to carbon (C) cycling. However, knowledge about the source, composition, and factors controlling the distribution of biogenic Si in coastal wetland sedimentary environments is still limited. To address this lack of knowledge, we introduced a suite of geometric models for biogenic Si biovolume calculation and investigated biogenic Si assemblages, along with biogenic Si and biogenic Si‐occluded C contents, in sediments from representative coastal wetlands along the west coast of Bohai Bay. Our analysis showed that sedimentary biogenic Si predominantly derived from phytoliths (78.1% ± 5.8%), diatoms (18.2% ± 4.8%), and sponge spicules (3.7% ± 2.9%). Notably, phytolith assemblages were primarily composed of forms derived from the Poaceae family. The biogenic Si‐occluded C content (0.035–1.870 g kg −1 ) within these wetland sediments was consistent across both sites, accounting for 0.97–5.71% of the total organic C pool. Structural equation modeling indicated that total organic C, pH, and amorphous aluminum oxides either directly or indirectly influenced the biogenic Si content in coastal wetlands sediments. These results demonstrate the critical role that biogenic Si plays in the Si biogeochemical cycle and provide valuable information that advances our understanding of the biogeochemical interactions between Si and C in coastal wetland ecosystems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Limnology and Oceanography
Published
2024-10-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12717
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.40

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article

Biogenic silica dynamics in coastal wetland sediments: A key driver of silicon and carbon biogeochemical cycling

Cong‐Qiang Liu, Tony Vancov, Lukas Van Zwieten, Changxun Yu et al.
4 citations
Limnology and Oceanography
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
2.40
article

Biogenic silica dynamics in coastal wetland sediments: A key driver of silicon and carbon biogeochemical cycling

Cong‐Qiang Liu, Tony Vancov, Lukas Van Zwieten, Changxun Yu, Yuqiu Wei, Xinxin Zuo, Zimin Li, Laodong Guo, Zhaoliang Song, Xiaole Sun, Hailong Wang, Jianping Zhang, Peng Yuan, Yidong Wang, Xiangbin Ran, Xiangwei Zhao, Yuntao Wu, Xiaomin Yang, Jun Sun, Lele Wu
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Abstract Biogenic silica (biogenic Si) is a bioactive component crucial for the biogeochemical cycling of Si in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Its formation and dissolution dynamics are intricately linked to carbon (C) cycling. However, knowledge about the source, composition, and factors controlling the distribution of biogenic Si in coastal wetland sedimentary environments is still limited. To address this lack of knowledge, we introduced a suite of geometric models for biogenic Si biovolume calculation and investigated biogenic Si assemblages, along with biogenic Si and biogenic Si‐occluded C contents, in sediments from representative coastal wetlands along the west coast of Bohai Bay. Our analysis showed that sedimentary biogenic Si predominantly derived from phytoliths (78.1% ± 5.8%), diatoms (18.2% ± 4.8%), and sponge spicules (3.7% ± 2.9%). Notably, phytolith assemblages were primarily composed of forms derived from the Poaceae family. The biogenic Si‐occluded C content (0.035–1.870 g kg −1 ) within these wetland sediments was consistent across both sites, accounting for 0.97–5.71% of the total organic C pool. Structural equation modeling indicated that total organic C, pH, and amorphous aluminum oxides either directly or indirectly influenced the biogenic Si content in coastal wetlands sediments. These results demonstrate the critical role that biogenic Si plays in the Si biogeochemical cycle and provide valuable information that advances our understanding of the biogeochemical interactions between Si and C in coastal wetland ecosystems.

Limnology and OceanographyVol. 69(12)
Fujian Normal University (CN), Foshan University (CN), Tianjin Normal University (CN), Tianjin University (CN), Guizhou University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Ministry of Natural Resources (CN), Linnaeus University (SE), New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (AU), Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry (CN), China University of Geosciences (CN), Lishui University (CN), Institute of Oceanology (CN), First Institute of Oceanography (CN), Institute of Geology and Geophysics (CN), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (CN), Institute of Earth Environment (CN), University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (US), Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
2.40
DOISourceOpenAlex
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