Metal concentrations in the growth bands of Porites sp.: A baseline record on the history of marine pollution in the Gulf of Mannar, India.
The present study was carried out on the Porites coral growth bands (1979 to 2014) to measure the metal accumulation for assessing the environmental pollution status. The concentrations of studied metals are compared with similar global studies, which indicate that the metals are probably derived from natural sources. The identical peaks of Fe and Mn are perfectly matched with Cu, Cr and Ni concentrations. However, the metal profile trend is slightly depressed from a regular trend in Zn, Cd and Pb peaks. The metal accumulation affinity of the reef skeleton is ranked in the following order Cr>Cd>Pb>Fe>Mn>Cu>Ni>Zn. The distribution of metal constituents in coral growth bands is primarily controlled by Fe and Mn in the reef skeleton. Other reef associated metals such as Pb and Cd are derived from other sources like coastal developments and anthropogenic sources.
Department of Geology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India. Electronic address: coralkrishna@yahoo.co.in.
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Krishnakumar
Department of Geology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India. Electronic address: unimadram@yahoo.com.
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Ramasamy
Centre for GeoTechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli 627012, India. Electronic address: mageshissivan@gmail.com.
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Magesh
Centre for GeoTechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli 627012, India. Electronic address: profncsekar@gmail.com.
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Chandrasekar
Centre for GeoTechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli 627012, India. Electronic address: tnoblesimon@gmail.com.
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Simon Peter
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007194:India; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Growth bands; Gulf of Mannar; Marine pollution; Metal accumulation; Metal selectivity index; Pollution Load Index