Abstract
The spatial and temporal distributions of biogenic silica (BSi) in tidal flat surface sediments of Yangtze Estuary were studied using the coastal tidal flat of Yangtze Estuary as typical research area, and the influence of sediment physico-chemical property on BSi accumulation was also investigated. The significant seasonal variations in sedimentary BSi were observed along the coastal zone of Yangtze Estuary. The contents of BSi in sediments varied from 0.46%-1.61% and gradually increased from land to sea in February, while in August they were in the range of 0.39%-1.36% and had the spatial distribution pattern opposite to February. The relation analysis of the sediment physico-chemical property and BSi announced that BSi contents had close correlation with sediment types and organic matter. In general, biogenic silica was apt to accumulate in the fine fractions of sediments rich in organic matter. Additionally, it was found that benthic diatoms might be an important source of biogenic silica in sediments. However, there existed the pronounced spatial difference in the contribution of benthic diatoms to biogenic silica in tidal flat sediments along the Yangtze estuarine and coastal zone.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 665-669 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Zhongguo Huanjing Kexue/China Environmental Science |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| State | Published - Oct 2007 |
Keywords
- Biogenic silica
- Hangzhou Bay
- Sediment
- Tidal flat
- Yangtze Estuary