Silicon is the second most abundant element on the planet Earth. Its electronic configuration is close to that of carbon, but the aqueous environment prevailing on our planet gives advantages to carbon compounds at th...Silicon is the second most abundant element on the planet Earth. Its electronic configuration is close to that of carbon, but the aqueous environment prevailing on our planet gives advantages to carbon compounds at the expenses of siliceous compounds.Silicified organisms, however, are everywhere on Earth, particularly in the marine realm where siliceous diatoms play a key role in the ocean biological carbon pump. Thus, a better understanding of the processes that control the silica cycle at global scale is crucial.展开更多
基金The Foundation of Distinguished Visiting “Ocean Star” Scholar,State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics(SOED)
文摘Silicon is the second most abundant element on the planet Earth. Its electronic configuration is close to that of carbon, but the aqueous environment prevailing on our planet gives advantages to carbon compounds at the expenses of siliceous compounds.Silicified organisms, however, are everywhere on Earth, particularly in the marine realm where siliceous diatoms play a key role in the ocean biological carbon pump. Thus, a better understanding of the processes that control the silica cycle at global scale is crucial.