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{| class="model-ib" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em;" ! Biogenic silica accumulation (light–dark bottles) |- | '''Approach:''' change in BSi concentration in light vs. dark incubation bottles |- | '''Context:''' incubation, ''in situ'' and lab |- | '''Sp..."

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{{BreadcrumbsNutrients}}

* [[Page authors|Page authors]]: [[PRIMO]]
* [[Responsible curator|Responsible curator]]: [[User:Hagi BucknWise|Hagen Buck-Wiese]]
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{| class="model-ib" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em;"
! Biogenic silica accumulation (light–dark bottles)
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| '''Approach:''' change in BSi concentration in light vs. dark incubation bottles
|-
| '''Context:''' incubation, ''in situ'' and lab
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| '''Spatial scale:''' point sample
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| '''Temporal scale:''' hours to days
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| '''Units:''' µmol BSi L-1 d-1; (x)mol BSi cell-1 d-1
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| '''Community captured:''' bulk or size-fractionated
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| '''Co-measurements:''' ambient [Si(OH)4], PAR, temperature
|}
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== Method Overview ==

Net biogenic silica (BSi) accumulation is measured as the change in BSi concentration in incubation bottles over time. Samples are incubated in both light and dark bottles; the difference between initial and final BSi concentrations in the light bottle reflects net BSi accumulation (gross production minus dissolution). In the dark bottle, the BSi change reflects only dissolution. Together, light and dark measurements can be used to estimate both gross BSi production and BSi dissolution rates. BSi concentration is typically measured by alkaline digestion (NaOH at 80°C) followed by colorimetric or ICP-OES determination of dissolved silicic acid.

=== Scale of measurement ===

The method integrates over the full incubation period rather than providing an instantaneous rate.

=== Data generated ===

Net BSi accumulation rate (µmol BSi L-1 d-1); combined with dark bottle dissolution rates, gross BSi production can be estimated. Useful as an independent complement to 32Si-based production measurements.

=== Units & currency ===

Units are µmol BSi L-1 d-1 or (x)mol BSi cell-1 d-1. The currency is biogenic Si.

=== Sample size ===

Typical samples are 0.5–2.3 L in volume.

=== Repositories & databases ===

== Limitations ==

Bulk BSi measurements include both living cells and dead frustules (lithogenic contamination must also be subtracted), so rates normalized to BSi contain uncertainty. Non-steady state conditions during the incubation can cause the dissolution rate to change over time. Bottle effects may arise.

== Example Applications & Protocols ==

=== Classic examples ===
*

=== Recent applications ===
* Latour et al. (2023) ''Characterisation of a Southern Ocean deep chlorophyll maximum: response of phytoplankton to light, iron, and manganese enrichment'' <ref name="Latour2023">Latour, P., et al. (2023). Characterisation of a Southern Ocean deep chlorophyll maximum: response of phytoplankton to light, iron, and manganese enrichment. ''Limnology and Oceanography Letters'', 9(2), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10366</ref>

=== Common calculations/conversions ===
* Net BSi accumulation (µmol BSi L-1 d-1) = ([BSi]final − [BSi]initial) / incubation time (light bottle).
* BSi dissolution = ([BSi]initial − [BSi]final) / incubation time (dark bottle).
* Gross production ≈ net accumulation + dissolution.

== References ==

[[Category:Main Pages|Model types]]

Biogenic silica accumulation - Revision history