The Silica Balance in the World Ocean: A Reestimate

• DOI: 10.1126/science.268.5209.375
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T18:19:42Z
• Authors: Paul Tréguer; David M. Nelson; Aleido J. Van Ben...; David J. DeMaster; Aude Leynaert; Bernard Quéguiner
• Keywords: Silicic acid; Biogenic silica; Dissolved silica

The net inputs of silicic acid (dissolved silica) to the world ocean have been revised 6.1 +/- 2.0 teramoles silicon per year (1 teramole = 10(12) moles). major contribution (about 80 percent) comes from rivers, whose average concentration is 150 micromolar. These are reasonably balanced by ouputs biogenic silica 7.1 1.8 in modern marine sediments. gross production (the transformation dissolved silicate particulate skeletal material) surface waters was estimated be 240 40 year, and preservation ratio (opal accumulation sediment/gross waters) averages 3 percent. In residence time silicon, relative total biological uptake waters, about 400 years.