Abstract
The cycling of dissolved reactive silicate (DRS) and sedimentary biogenic SiO2 has been examined in ultraoligotrophic Toolik Lake, Alaska. Watershed output of DRS (∼ 7 mmol m − 2 yr −1) is similar to other arctic study sites, but a short water residence time results in the poor retention of DRS (∼17%) within the lake. Biogenic SiO2 concentrations in surficial sediments average 123 mg g−1 with the highest concentrations arising from the production of benthic diatoms in the littoral zone. Lake water DRS concentrations are highest prior to spring flow and photic zone concentrations exceed 23 µmol 1−1 at the time of greatest primary production. Wintertime increases in watercolumn DRS concentrations and spring and summer pore water DRS flux estimates indicate that internal cycling within the lake may supply an amount of DRS equivalent to that which biologically utilized.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Armstrong, F. A. J., C. R. Stearns & J. D. H. Strickland, 1967. The measurement of upwelling and subsequent biological processes by means of the Technicon Autoanalyzer and associated equipment. Deep-Sea Res. 14: 381–389.
Banahan, S., 1983. The uptake of silicic acid by diatoms in the Bering Sea. M.S. thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 121 p.
Banahan, S. & J. J. Goering, 1986. The production of biogenic silica and its accumulation on the southeastern Bering Sea shelf. Cont. Shelf Res. 5: 199–213.
Brezinski, M. A., 1985. The Si:C:N ratio of marine diatoms: interspecific variability and the effect of some environmental variables. J. Phycol. 21: 347–357.
Brunskill, G. J., D. M. Rosenberg, N. B. Snow, G. L. Vascatto & R. W. Wagemann, 1973. Ecological studies of aquatic systems in the MacKenzie-Porcupine drainages in relation to proposed pipeline and highway developments. Canada Task Force N. Oil Dev. Environ. Soc. Comm. Vol. II. Report 73–41. 345 pp.
Calvert, S. E., 1983. Sedimentary geochemistry of silicon. pp. 143–186 In: (S. R. Aston, Ed.), Silicon Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry. Academic Press, N.Y.
Cornwell, J. C., 1983. The geochemistry of manganese, iron and phosphorus in an arctic lake. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 238 pp.
Cornwell, J. C., 1985. Sediment accumulation rates in an Alaskan arctic lake using a modified 210Pb technique. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 42: 809–814.
Cornwell, J. C., 1986. Diagenetic trace metal profiles in arctic lake sediments. Envir. Sci. Technol. 20: 299–302.
Cornwell, J. C., 1987. Phosphorus cycling in arctic lake sediments: adsorption and authigenic minerals. Arch. Hydrobiol. 109: 161–179.
Cuker, B. E., 1983. Grazing and nutrient interactions in controlling the activity and composition of the epilithic algal community of an arctic lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 28: 133–141.
Eggiman, D. W., F. T. Manheim & P. R. Betzer, 1980.Dissolution and analysis of amorphous silica in marine sediments. J. Sed. Petrol. 50: 215–225.
Hammond, D. E., J. Boucher & R. L. Rea, 1986. The effect of oxygen on silica reaction kinetics in marine sediments. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 65: 933.
Hobbie, J. E., 1973. Arctic limnology: a review. p. 127–168. In M. E. Britton (ed.) Alaskan arctic tundra. Arct. Inst. N. Am. Tech. Pap. 25.
Hutchinson, G. E., 1957. A Treatise on Limnology. Vol. 1. John Wiley. 1015 pp.
Lerman, A., 1979. Geochemical Processes: Water and sediment Environments. Wiley, N.Y.
Li, Y.-H. & S. Gregory, 1974. Diffusion of ions in seawater and in deep-sea sediments. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 38: 703–714.
Likens, G. E., F. H. Bormann, R. S. Pierce, J. S. Eaton & N. M. Johnson, 1977. Biogeochemistry of a Forested Ecosystem. Springer Verlag, NY. 138 pp.
Miller, M. C., G. R. Hater, P. Spatt, P. Westlake & D. Yeakel, 1986. Primary production and its control in Toolik Lake, Alaska. Arch. Hydrobiol./Suppl. 74: 97–131.
Mortimer, C. H., 1941. The exchange of dissolved substances between mud and water in lakes (Parts I and II). J. Ecol. 29: 280–329.
Mortimer, C. H., 1942. The exchange of dissolved substances between mud and water in lakes (Parts III and IV). J. Ecol. 30: 147–201.
Nriagu, J. O., 1978. Dissolved silica in pore waters of Lake Ontario, Erie and Superior sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23: 53–67.
Parker, J. I., H. L. Conway & E. M. Yaguchi, 1977. Dissolution of diatom frustrules and recycling of amorphous silicon in Lake Michigan. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 34: 545–551.
Parsons, T.R., Y. Maita & C.M. Lalli, 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis. Pergamon Press, NY. 173 pp.
Prentki, R. T., M. C. Miller, R. J. Barsdate, V. Alexander, J. Kelley & P. Coyne, 1980. Chemistry. In J. E. Hobbie (ed), Limnology of Tundra Ponds, Barrow, Alaska. Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsburg.
Reeburgh, W. S., 1967. An improved interstitial water sampler. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 163–165.
Schindler, D. W., J. Kalff, H. E. Welch, G. J. Brunskill, H. Kling & N. Kritsch, 1974a. Eutrophication in the high arctic-Meretta Lake, Cornwallis Island. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 31: 647–662.
Schindler, D. W., H. E. Welch, J. Kalff, G. J. Brunskill & N. Kritsch, 1974b. Physical and chemical limnology of Char Lake, Cornwallis Island. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 31: 587–607.
Stanley, D. W., 1976. Productivity of epipelic algae in tundra ponds and a lake near Barrow, Alaska. Ecology 57: 1015–1024.
Ullman, W. J. & R. C. Aller, 1982. Diffusion coefficients in nearshore marine sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27: 552–556.
Welch, H. E. & J. Kalff, 1974. Benthic photosynthesis and respiration in Char Lake. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 31: 609–620.
Welch, H. E. & M. A. Bergmann, 1985. Winter respiration of lakes at Saqvaqjuac, N.W.T. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 42: 521–528.
Welch, H. E. & J. A. Legault, 1986. Precipitation chemistry and chemical limnology of fertilized and natural lakes at Saqvaqjuac, N.W.T. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1104–1134.
Wetzel, R. G., 1975. Limnology. Saunders, Phila. 743 p.
Whalen, S. C. & V. Alexander, 1986. Seasonal inorganic carbon and nitrogen transport by phytoplankton in an arctic lake. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1177–1186.
Whalen, S. C. & J. C. Cornwell, 1985. Nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon cycling in an arctic lake. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 42: 797–808.
Whalen, S. C., J. C. Cornwell & V. Alexander, 1988. Comparison of chemical and biological N budgets in an Arctic lake: implications for phytoplankton production. SCOPE/UNEP Sonderband 66: 99–115.
Yeakel, J. D., 1977. Production and control of epilithic periphyton in an arctic lake. M. S. thesis, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. 53 p.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cornwell, J.C., Banahan, S. A silicon budget for an Alaskan arctic lake. Hydrobiologia 240, 37–44 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013450
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013450