Exploring Long-Term Changes in Silicon Biogeochemistry Along the River Continuum of the Rhine and Yangtze (Changjiang)
Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 54, pp. 11940–11950
Abstract
Abstract This paper presents the spatially explicit (0.5° spatial resolution) Dynamic InStream Chemistry (DISC)-SILICON module, which is part of the Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment-Dynamic Global Nutrient Model global nutrient cycling framework. This new model, for the first time, enables to integrate the combined impact of long-term changes in land use, climate, and hydrology on Si sources (weathering, sewage, and soil loss) and sinks (uptake by diatoms, sedimentation, and burial) along the river continuum. Comparison of discharge and dissolved silica results with observations shows good agreement both in the Rhine and Yangtze. The simulated total Si export for the Rhine is stable during the period 1900–2000. The total Si export for the Yangtze decreased (155–51 Gmol yr–1) because of damming and transformation of 40% of the natural vegetation to cropland. As a result of dam construction in the Yangtze, diatom primary production (from 24 to 48 Gmol yr–1) and burial (15 to 32 Gmol yr–1) increased and the DSi export decreased (139–46 Gmol yr–1) from the 1950s to 1990s. The Three Gorges Reservoir has a large contribution to diatom primary production (11%) and burial (12%) in the Yangtze basin. DISC-SILICON reproduces a flooding-induced increase in Si inputs and burial and the legacy of this temporary storage in subsequent dry years.
Authors 7
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Xiaochen Liu corresponding
Affiliation as printed
Utrecht University , , Princetonlaan 8A , ,
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Utrecht University , , Princetonlaan 8A , ,
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Deltares , P.O. Box 177, ,
Deltares, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH Delft, The Netherlands
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Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency · Utrecht University
Affiliation as printed
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency , P.O. Box 30314, ,
Utrecht University , , Princetonlaan 8A , ,
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, P.O. Box 30314, 2500 GH The Hague, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Leiden University , , P.O. Box 9518, ,
Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Utrecht University , , Princetonlaan 8A , ,
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency · Utrecht University · Ocean University of China
Affiliation as printed
Ocean University of China , , ,
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency , P.O. Box 30314, ,
Utrecht University , , Princetonlaan 8A , ,
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, P.O. Box 30314, 2500 GH The Hague, The Netherlands
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