The role of plants in the transfer of silicon at the surface of the continents.

Silicon is the most abundant element after oxygen in the lithosphere (27 wt%). Plants and soil microorganisms are important contributors to the weathering of silicates. Plants are able to accumulate several percent of Si in the biomass. The importance of plants in the rates of Si output to surface waters is discussed in this paper. (C) 2003 Academie des sciences. Publie par Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.