Ice sheets as a missing source of silica to the polar oceans

Jon R. Hawkings (), Jemma L. Wadham, Liane G. Benning, Katharine R. Hendry, Martyn Tranter, Andrew Tedstone, Peter Nienow and Rob Raiswell
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Jon R. Hawkings: Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol
Jemma L. Wadham: Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol
Liane G. Benning: Cohen Biogeochemistry Laboratory, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
Katharine R. Hendry: School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol
Martyn Tranter: Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol
Andrew Tedstone: Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol
Peter Nienow: School of Geoscience, University of Edinburgh
Rob Raiswell: Cohen Biogeochemistry Laboratory, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Ice sheets play a more important role in the global silicon cycle than previously appreciated. Input of dissolved and amorphous particulate silica into natural waters stimulates the growth of diatoms. Here we measure dissolved and amorphous silica in Greenland Ice Sheet meltwaters and icebergs, demonstrating the potential for high ice sheet export. Our dissolved and amorphous silica flux is 0.20 (0.06–0.79) Tmol year−1, ∼50% of the input from Arctic rivers. Amorphous silica comprises >95% of this flux and is highly soluble in sea water, as indicated by a significant increase in dissolved silica across a fjord salinity gradient. Retreating palaeo ice sheets were therefore likely responsible for high dissolved and amorphous silica fluxes into the ocean during the last deglaciation, reaching values of ∼5.5 Tmol year−1, similar to the estimated export from palaeo rivers. These elevated silica fluxes may explain high diatom productivity observed during the last glacial–interglacial period.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14198

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