Silicon Cycling in Soils Revisited.

Silicon (Si) speciation and availability in soils is highly important for ecosystem functioning, because Si is a beneficial element for plant growth. Si chemistry is highly complex compared to other elements in soils, because Si reaction rates are relatively slow and dependent on Si species. Consequently, we review the occurrence of different Si species in soil solution and their changes by polymerization, depolymerization, and condensation in relation to important soil processes. We show that an argumentation based on thermodynamic endmembers of Si dependent processes, as currently done, is often difficult, because some reactions such as mineral crystallization require months to years (sometimes even centuries or millennia). Furthermore, we give an overview of Si reactions in soil solution and the predominance of certain solid compounds, which is a neglected but important parameter controlling the availability, reactivity, and function of Si in soils. We further discuss the drivers of soil Si cycling and how humans interfere with these processes. The soil Si cycle is of major importance for ecosystem functioning; therefore, a deeper understanding of drivers of Si cycling (e.g., predominant speciation), human disturbances and the implication for important soil properties (water storage, nutrient availability, and micro aggregate stability) is of fundamental relevance.

An investigation of the effect of ultrasonic waves on the efficiency of silicon extraction from coal fly ash.

Burning of coal accounts for an enormous proportion of the current energy supply, especially in developing countries. Burning of coal produces large amounts of coal fly ash, which causes serious environmental problems unless it is managed properly. Using chemical analysis, we found that coal fly ash could be a promising source of Si, Al, Ca and some rare earth elements, especially with the assistance of some measures such as ultrasound. In this study, we extracted silicon from coal fly ash using an alkaline dissolution strategy and investigated the effects of temperature and ultrasonic power on the efficiency of silicon extraction. During a 70 min reaction, the efficiency of silicon extraction increased markedly, from 9.41% to 34.96%, as the reaction temperature increased from 70 °C to 110 °C. With ultrasound assistance, ultrasonic waves enhanced the extraction of silicon at both 80 °C and 110 °C at 720 W ultrasound, increasing the efficiency of silicon extraction from 6.01% to 15.36% and from 34.96% to 54.42%, respectively. However, at 900 W ultrasonic power, extraction was slightly inhibited at both temperatures, causing a little decrease in efficiency.