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Tidal marshes and biogenic silica recycling at the land‐sea interface
Author(s) -
Struyf Eric,
Dausse Armel,
Van Damme Stefan,
Bal Kris,
Gribsholt Britta,
Boschker Henricus T. S.,
Middelburg Jack J.,
Meire Patrick
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.2006.51.2.0838
Subject(s) - marsh , salt marsh , estuary , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , biogenic silica , oceanography , dissolved silica , brackish marsh , wetland , geology , ecology , chemistry , biology , diatom , geotechnical engineering , dissolution
We studied the seasonal exchange of biogenic silica (BSi) and dissolved silica (DSi) between a freshwater and a saltwater tidal marsh and the adjacent coastal waters. Export of DSi was observed from both tidal marshes, whereas BSi was imported in association with suspended solids. The export of DSi was highest (23.4% and 123.8% in the freshwater and saltwater marsh, respectively) in summer when DSi concentrations were low in the nearby coastal waters. Combined data from both marshes suggested a logarithmic decrease in DSi export with increasing DSi concentrations in the inundating waters. BSi import was observed year round in the freshwater marsh, but only in summer in the saltwater marsh. The results show that DSi export from tidal marshes, both freshwater and salt water, contributes significantly to estuarine Si availability in summer and provide new insights regarding potential linkages between tidal marshes and secondary production in nearby coastal waters.