A new and novel technique will be developed for the determination of amorphous silica in marine sediments. It is based on the high temperature titration of amorphous silica with added calcium carbonate according to the reaction: SiO2 + CaCO3 CaSiiO3 + CO2. The proposed research will proceed along three lines: 1. Further development of the method. Preliminary pyrolysis experiments were done at 500oC for three days. Subsequent work was at 700oC for one hour. These new conditions necessitate the repetition of many experiments to determine the optimum temperature and time and the dependence of the reaction on mineralogy, water content etc. for the optimum conditions. 2. Revaluation of the marine silica budget. Preliminary work indicates that calcareous oozes and continental shelf sediments are much more important sinks than previously believed. 3. The use of the &18O of the product CO2 as a measure of the &18O of amorphous silica and the paleocean from which it was deposited. //

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9015580
Program Officer
Rodger W. Baier
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1991-03-01
Budget End
1994-09-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
$89,230
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Florida
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Tampa
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33612