An assessment of an environmental gradient using coral geochemical records, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Date
2012
Authors
Lewis, Stephen
Brodie, J E
McCulloch, Malcolm
Mallela, Jennie-Ann
Jupiter, Stacy
Stuart-Williams, Hilary
Lough, Janice
Matson, E.G
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Pergamon-Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
Keywords: Australia; Environmental gradient; Environmental signals; Great Barrier Reef; Nitrogen isotope ratio; River catchment; Stable-isotope analysis; Tourism infrastructure; Water quality gradients; Catchments; Isotopes; Site selection; Water quality; Reefs; ni d 15N; Ba/Ca; Great Barrier Reef; Mn/Ca; Water quality gradient; Y/Ca
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Source
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Type
Journal article
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2037-12-31
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