Distribution of opal phytoliths and their mother plants in the coastal zone of Japan.

Abstract

Transportation of phytoliths from major plants growing in the coastal zone were discussed based on the relationship between concentration in the surface sediments and the distance from the mother plant in several regions including Onneto, the estuary of the Mukawa River, Rokkasyo, the estuary of the Oirase River, Aiofutajima, and the estuary of the Obitsu River. The distribution of phytolith density for Phragmites type, Carex type and Calamagrostis type phytoliths indicated that they occurred at a high rate in the habitat of the mother plants. The densities of Leymus type and Imperata type phytoliths were higher inside rather than outside the growing area of the mother plants. Phytolith density in the sediments in relation to the coverage rate or the distance from the growth site suggested that the efficiency of transportation decreased in the order of "Phragmites type", "Carex type ・Ischaemum type ・Calamagrostis type" and "Leymus type・Imperata type" phytoliths.