Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
New Phytol. 2010 Apr;186(2):385-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03176.x. Epub 2010 Feb 2.
*Although silica (Si) is not an essential element for plant growth in the classical sense, evidence points towards its functionality for a better resistance against (a)biotic stress. Recently, it was shown that wetland vegetation has a considerable impact on silica biogeochemistry. However, detailed information on Si uptake in aquatic macrophytes is lacking. *We investigated the biogenic silica (BSi), cellulose and lignin content of 16 aquatic/wetland species along the Biebrza river (Poland) in June 2006 and 2007. The BSi data were correlated with cellulose and lignin concentrations. *Our results show that macrophytes contain significant amounts of BSi: between 2 and 28 mg BSi g(-1). This is in the same order of magnitude as wetland species (especially grasses). Significant antagonistic correlations were found between lignin, cellulose and BSi content. Interestingly, observed patterns were opposite for wetland macrophytes and true aquatic macrophytes. *We conclude that macrophytes have an overlooked but potentially vast storage capacity for Si. Study of their role as temporal silica sinks along the land-ocean continuum is needed. This will further understanding of the role of ecosystems on land ocean transport of this essential nutrient.
尽管硅（Si）在经典意义上不是植物生长的必需元素，但有证据表明它对提高植物的抗逆性（生物和非生物胁迫）具有重要作用。最近的研究表明，湿地植被对硅的生物地球化学循环有重要影响。然而，水生大型植物对硅的吸收过程仍缺乏详细的信息。
我们于 2006 年和 2007 年 6 月调查了比亚韦斯托克河（波兰） 16 种水生/湿地物种的生物成因硅（BSi）、纤维素和木质素含量。BSi 数据与纤维素和木质素浓度相关联。
研究结果表明，大型植物中含有大量的 BSi：在 2 到 28 mg BSi g(-1) 之间。这与湿地物种（尤其是草类）的含量相当。木质素、纤维素和 BSi 含量之间存在显著的拮抗关系。有趣的是，湿地大型植物和真正的水生大型植物的观察模式相反。
我们的结论是，大型植物对硅具有被忽视但潜在巨大的存储能力。需要研究它们作为陆海连续体中暂时硅汇的作用。这将有助于理解生态系统在陆地-海洋输送这种必需养分方面的作用。
