= Biogenic silica
{wiki=Biogenic_silica}
Biogenic silica refers to silica (SiO2) that is produced by living organisms. It is primarily associated with the hard parts of various biological entities, particularly diatoms, sponges, and some types of algae. These organisms extract silica from their environment to form their structural components, such as the frustules of diatoms and the spicules of sponges. In ecosystems, biogenic silica plays a significant role in the silicon cycle, contributing to nutrient cycling and influencing ocean productivity.
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