The contribution of phytoliths to total biogenic silica(BSi) volumes in rivers worldwide,and the associated implications for the biogeochemical cycle,require in-depth study.Based on samples from rivers in Peninsular Malaysia,this project investigated the source and characteristics of B Si found in Asian tropical rivers,as well as the process of reverse weathering taking place in these fluvial systems.Results indicated that BSi samples collected in sediments consisted of phytolith,diatom and sponge spicules.Phytoliths,predominantly of the elongate form,comprised 92.8%-98.3% of BSi in the Pahang River.Diatom BSi in this river consisted mainly of pennatae diatoms,but represented a relatively small proportion of the total BSi volume.However,diatom BSi(predominantly of the Centricae form) was more prevalent in the Pontian and Endau Rivers with shares of 68.8% and 79.3% of the total BSi volumes,respectively,than Pahang River.Carbon contents of the BSi particulates ranged from 1.85% to 10.8% with an average of 4.79%.These values are higher than those recorded in other studies to date,and indicate that BSi plays a major role in controlling permanent carbon burial.This study suggests that phytoliths from terrestrial plants are the primary constituents of BSi in the rivers of Peninsular Malaysia,and therefore represent a significant proportion of the coastal silica budget.
Concentrations of suspended particle material(SPM), dissolved silicate(DSi), biogenic silica(BSi), phytoliths(plant produced siliceous microscopic structures), and other parameters were analyzed to examine the influence of both natural processes and human activities on silica delivery to the estuary of the Huanghe River(Yellow River). Our results indicate that the concentrations of DSi in the river decreased significantly since 1986. Approximately 34% of dissolved silica was trapped in the basin between 1986 and 2010 due to a reduction of soil erosion. Phytoliths comprised 67.2%–96.3% of BSi, with the smoothing bar type being the dominant form. Concentrations of BSi are significantly higher in the Huanghe River compared to other major rivers throughout the world due to its high sediment yield. We also found that the ratios of BSi/(BSi+DSi) and BSi/SPM were approximately 0.5 and 0.003 at Lijin near the river mouth, indicating that BSi carried in suspension by the Huanghe River was an important component of the rivers silica load. Significant amounts of BSi were also composed of phytoliths in Bohai Sea sediments near the Huanghe River estuary with the smoothing bar form again being the most abundant. The relatively high specific fluxes of BSi in the Huanghe River reflect its high turbidity and high erosion rates in the basin. The high sediment load originating on the Loess Plateau is likely responsible for the higher BSi flux, in agreement with a general trend of increasing BSi flux with increasing sediment flux in global river systems. This study demonstrates that BSi transported by rivers can be composed largely of phytoliths originating from the erosion of topsoils. The flux of phytoliths in river's suspended sediment load may therefore represent a significant contribution to the biogeochemical cycle of silica in coastal waters.
RAN XiangBinCHE HongZANG JiaYeYU YongGuiLIU SenZHENG LiLi
