Articles | Volume 23, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7203-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7203-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Oct 2026
Research article |
| 15 Oct 2026
| 15 Oct 2026
The integrated benthic silicate flux in the Baltic Sea suggests a major land- or freshwater-derived reactive silicon source
Nils Ekeroth
NIRAS Sweden AB, Stockholm, Sweden
currently at: Sweco Sverige AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Mikhail Kononets
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Stefano Bonaglia
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Volker Brüchert
Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Elizabeth K. Robertson
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Anders Tengberg
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
currently at: Aanderaa-Xylem, Sanddalsringen 5b, Bergen, Norway
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Short summary
We measured 305 benthic fluxes of silicate (dSi) on the major sediment types across the Baltic Sea. Upscaling these data together with literature values suggested an integrated annual benthic release of dSi for the Baltic Sea being about three times larger than the diatom export production. This may explain the trend of increasing Baltic water column dSi standing stock. Reactive Si of terrestrial origin should have a much more profound influence on the Baltic Si cycle than previously known.
We measured 305 benthic fluxes of silicate (dSi) on the major sediment types across the Baltic...
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