DIFFUSION OF DISSOLVED SILICA OUT OF DEEP-SEA SEDIMENTS.

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1974

Abstract

Cores of marine sediment from the Atlantic Ocean were maintained in seawater in the laboratory for 2 years and showed large sustained release of dissolved silica to the overlying water. The release appeared to be diffusive and seemed to be strongly influenced by the intersitial silica concentrations in the cores. For one core a measured interstitial diffusion coefficient of 3. 3 multiplied by 10** minus **6 cm**2 s** minus **1 at 5 degree C confirmed published estimates of that parameter. Dissolution of silica from solid particles within the core provided much of the silica that diffused out of the sediment. The results give strong support to predictions that diffusion out of the sea floor constitutes an important input of silica to the oceans. Dissolution of deposited biogenic amorphous silica probably is the main source of the flux.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

J Geophys Res

Volume

79

Issue

9

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