Guidelines for sampling and determination of silicate.

Abstract

Silicate is introduced to the Baltic Sea as a result of natural geological processes, as opposed to nitrogen and phosphorus, which levels are affected by human activities. Although it is not listed among the HELCOM Core Indicators, silicate is still biologically significant. Since diatoms are dependent of dissolved silicate for growth, monitoring of silicate is essential for evaluation and modelling of nutrient status, and assessment of conditions for phytoplankton growth. 1.2 Purpose and aims Monitoring of nutrients in seawater is carried out to identify and quantify the amount of nutrients, which may cause eutrophication. The aim is to provide spatiotemporal information for detection of short-term status and long-term trends.