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The Effects Of Dissolution On The Silicon And Oxygen Isotope Compositions Of Silica Phytoliths, Andrea Prentice

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The δ³⁰Si and δ¹⁸O values of silica phytoliths have applications for reconstructing paleoenvironmental conditions. This study examines the effect of partial dissolution and burning of phytoliths on their isotopic compositions, dissolution behaviour, and physical characteristics (specific surface area, mean particle size, and visual appearance) and discusses problems with the use of phytolith δ¹⁸O and δ³⁰Si values that have been modified in soils in paleoclimate reconstruction. Dissolution experiments were conducted in batch reactors under a range of pH (4-10) and temperature (4-44˚C) conditions. The δ¹⁸O and δ³⁰Si values of …