Staff directory
Luc André
Earth Sciences
Surface environments and collection management
Surface environments and collection management
Publication details
Alleman, LY., Cardinal, D., Cocquyt, C., Plisnier, PD., Descy, JP., Kimirei, I., Sinyianza , D. & André, L. 2005. ‘Silicon isotopic fractionation in Lake Tanganyika and its main tributaries’. Journal of Great Lakes Research 31: 509-519. URL: http://www.iaglr.org/jglr/db/view_contents.php?pub_id=2346&mode=view&table=yes&topic_id=&mode=toc&volume=31&issue=4 I.F. 1.393.
Article in a scientific Journal / Article in a Journal
Diatoms prefer it light!
December 1, 2005 Ann Arbor, MI, USA ; Studies of the growth efficiency of diatoms (microscopic algae) in Lake Tanganyika, Africa show clear evidence of climate change (global warming) in this region. Because diatoms produce a skeleton made of opal (a form of silicon oxide) and represent a large part of the photosynthetic activity in the world's aquatic ecosystems, this is yet another example of growing effects of global warming. The study measured uptake rates for different silicon isotopes between diatoms and other algae. The preferential uptake of the lighter isotope by diatoms leaves a measureable signature in the lake water that is reflective of the photosynthetic rate. "This process known since the late 90's in the ocean, is observed for the first time in a lake environment," says Laurent Alleman, a scientist at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren-Belgium) and Ecole des Mines (Douai - France). "The recent trend of lowered silicon utilization has been ascribed to climate change in African Great Lakes area." This study (a collaborative project between Belgium, Tanzania, and Zambia) clarifies the silicon cycle in Lake Tanganyika. The results may have broad applications to other freshwater environments in addition to marine waters. This study should also stimulate new research in paleolimnology. Original Publication Information Results of this study "Silicon Isotopic Fractionation in Lake Tanganyika and Its Main Tributaries," are reported by Laurent Y. Alleman, Damien Cardinal, Christine Cocquyt, Pierre-Denis Plisnier, Jean-Pierre Descy, Ishmaël Kimirei, Danny Sinyinza and Luc André in the latest issue (Volume 31, No. 4, pp. 509-519) of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, published by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, 2005. Contacts For information about this study, contact Laurent Alleman, Ecole des Mines de Douai, Douai - France, BP10838, 59508, alleman@ensm-douai.fr, (33) 327-712-624. For information about the Journal of Great Lakes Research, contact editor@iaglr.org; (608) 692-1076. http://www.iaglr.org/
December 1, 2005 Ann Arbor, MI, USA ; Studies of the growth efficiency of diatoms (microscopic algae) in Lake Tanganyika, Africa show clear evidence of climate change (global warming) in this region. Because diatoms produce a skeleton made of opal (a form of silicon oxide) and represent a large part of the photosynthetic activity in the world's aquatic ecosystems, this is yet another example of growing effects of global warming. The study measured uptake rates for different silicon isotopes between diatoms and other algae. The preferential uptake of the lighter isotope by diatoms leaves a measureable signature in the lake water that is reflective of the photosynthetic rate. "This process known since the late 90's in the ocean, is observed for the first time in a lake environment," says Laurent Alleman, a scientist at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren-Belgium) and Ecole des Mines (Douai - France). "The recent trend of lowered silicon utilization has been ascribed to climate change in African Great Lakes area." This study (a collaborative project between Belgium, Tanzania, and Zambia) clarifies the silicon cycle in Lake Tanganyika. The results may have broad applications to other freshwater environments in addition to marine waters. This study should also stimulate new research in paleolimnology. Original Publication Information Results of this study "Silicon Isotopic Fractionation in Lake Tanganyika and Its Main Tributaries," are reported by Laurent Y. Alleman, Damien Cardinal, Christine Cocquyt, Pierre-Denis Plisnier, Jean-Pierre Descy, Ishmaël Kimirei, Danny Sinyinza and Luc André in the latest issue (Volume 31, No. 4, pp. 509-519) of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, published by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, 2005. Contacts For information about this study, contact Laurent Alleman, Ecole des Mines de Douai, Douai - France, BP10838, 59508, alleman@ensm-douai.fr, (33) 327-712-624. For information about the Journal of Great Lakes Research, contact editor@iaglr.org; (608) 692-1076. http://www.iaglr.org/