title: Comparison of metal accumulation in the azooxanthellate scleractinian coral (Tubastraea coccinea) from different polluted environments.
abstract: The response of metal accumulation in coral Tubastraea coccinea to various degrees of metal enrichment was investigated from the Yin-Yang Sea (YYS) receiving abandoned mining effluents, the Kueishan Islet (KI) hydrothermal vent field, and the nearshore area of remoted Green Island (GI). The concentrations of most dissolved metals were highest in seawater at YYS, followed by KI, and then GI, showing the effects of anthropogenic and venting inputs on metal levels. Five metals (Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) yielded significant differences (p<0.05) among the skeleton samples. We identified similar patterns in the metal-Ca ratios, indicating that the elevated metals in skeletons was a consequence of external inputs. The coral tissues were relatively sensitive in monitoring metal accumulation, showing significant differences among three locations for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn. Specific bioconcentration factors provided strong support for the differential metal accumulation in skeletons and tissues.
authors: Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors: Isani
authors: I
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Oceanography, Asian-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: hungjj@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
authors: Jia-Jang
authors: JJ
authors: Hung
authors: Department of Oceanography, Asian-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Shao-Hung
authors: SH
authors: Peng
authors: Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors: Li-Chun
authors: LC
authors: Tseng
authors: Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Tung-Yuan
authors: TY
authors: Ho
authors: Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for Marine Bioenvironment and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan. Electronic address: jshwang@mail.ntou.edu.tw.
authors: Jiang-Shiou
authors: JS
authors: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D060086:Hydrothermal Vents; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioconcentration factors; Coral tissues; Metal accumulation; Metal enrichment; Skeletons; Tubastraea coccinea