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Estimation of authigenic alteration of biogenic and reactive silica in Pearl River estuarine sediments using wet-chemical digestion methods

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Abstract

The extent of authigenic alteration of biogenic and reactive silica in Pearl River estuarine sediments has been estimated using wet-chemical digestion methods. Results show relatively constant distributions of biogenic and reactive Si horizontally and vertically. Based on three core measurements, the biogenic and total reactive Si average 77.91 and 264.77 μmol Si g−1, respectively. Their extents of authigenic alteration are correspondingly estimated as ~55.6 and ~70.6%. The average biogenic Si accumulation rate is calculated as 1.91 × 109 mol Si year−1, which translates into storage of ~7.15% of the annual riverine dissolved silica input. By contrast, the total reactive Si accumulation rate is as high as 6.49 × 109 mol Si year−1, improving annual riverine silicic acid storage to ~24.19%. Detailed investigation is required for a good understanding of early diagenetic process of biogenic and reactive silica in this subtropical area.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank Prof. Jianfang Chen for sampling support and Dr. Zhongbo Wang for experimental assistance. The helpful comments by three anonymous reviewers appreciably improved the manuscript. This research was financially supported by the Key Laboratory of Marine Hydrocarbon Resources and Environmental Geology, Ministry of Land and Resources, China (MRE201014) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40873058 and 41040041).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Marine Hydrocarbon Resources and Environmental Geology, Ministry of Land and Resources, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China

    Ya-Chao Qin

  2. Institute of Environment & Biogeochemistry, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, People’s Republic of China

    Ya-Chao Qin, Huan-Xin Weng & Rong-Xiang Tian

  3. Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, 310012, People’s Republic of China

    Haiyan Jin & Jianyu Chen

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  1. Ya-Chao Qin
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Correspondence to Huan-Xin Weng.

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Qin, YC., Weng, HX., Jin, H. et al. Estimation of authigenic alteration of biogenic and reactive silica in Pearl River estuarine sediments using wet-chemical digestion methods. Environ Earth Sci 65, 1855–1864 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1168-8

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