Silicon isotopes of deep sea sponges: new insights into biomineralisation and skeletal structure

• Published in: Biogeosciences
• Main Authors: Cassarino, Luca, Coath, Christopher D, Xavier, Joana R, Hendry, Katharine R
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2018
• Subjects: Porifera; silicon isotopic composition; European Union (EU); Horizon 2020; Grant Agreement No 679849; Deep-sea Sponge Grounds Ecosystems of the North Atlantic: an integrated approach towards their preservation and sustainable exploitation; SponGES; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-6959-2018

The silicon isotopic composition (δ 30 Si) of deep sea sponges’ skeletal element – spicules – reflects the silicic acid (DSi) concentration of their surrounding water and can be used as natural archives of bottom water nutrients. In order to reconstruct the past silica cycle robustly, it is essentia...