An assessment of an environmental gradient using coral geochemical records, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Coral cores were collected along an environmental and water quality gradient through the Whitsunday Island group, Great Barrier Reef (Australia), for trace element and stable isotope analysis. The primary aim of the study was to examine if this gradient could be detected in coral records and, if so, whether the gradient has changed over time with changing land use in the adjacent river catchments. Y/Ca was the trace element ratio which varied spatially across the gradient, with concentrations progressively decreasing away from the river mouths. The Ba/Ca and Y/Ca ratios were the only indicators of change in the gradient through time, increasing shortly after European settlement. The Mn/Ca ratio responded to local disturbance related to the construction of tourism infrastructure. Nitrogen isotope ratios showed no apparent trend over time. This study highlights the importance of site selection when using coral records to record regional environmental signals.
Catchment to Reef Research Group, Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. stephen.lewis@jcu.edu.au
S E
SE
Lewis
J E
JE
Brodie
M T
MT
McCulloch
J
J
Mallela
S D
SD
Jupiter
H Stuart
HS
Williams
J M
JM
Lough
E G
EG
Matson
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D001315:Australia; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical