Production of biogenic silica by spring diatoms
2000; Wiley; Volume: 45; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.4319/lo.2000.45.2.0472
ISSN1939-5604
AutoresSvein Kristiansen, Tove Farbrot, Lars‐Johan Naustvoll,
Tópico(s)Marine and coastal ecosystems
ResumoThe radioactive isotope 32Si was used to measure Si uptake during a spring bloom dominated by the diatom Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii. The diatoms converted virtually all dissolved silicic acid in the surface layer into biogenic silica. The rate of Si uptake was unsaturated in all the experiments conducted during the bloom. The half‐saturation constant for Si uptake declined from 6–12 mmol m‐3 early in the bloom to 2 mmol m‐3 when dissolved silicic acid concentration was low. The highest specific Si‐uptake rates measured (ca. 0.3 d‐1) were comparable to average net growth rates calculated from cell abundance measurements.
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