Abstract
Coral samples were collected from Kurusadi, Shingle and Appa islands of Gulf of Mannar for analyzing the trace elements. The mean concentrations in the coral reef skeleton ranges from 0.19 to 0.62 μg g−1 for Fe, from 6.71 to 15.6 μg g−1 for As, from 0.28 to 1.31 μg g−1 for Cd, from 0.56 to 5.29 μg g−1 for Co, from 7.25 to 22.34 μg g−1 for Cr, from 0.63 to 5.08 μg g−1 for Cu, from 98.38 to 138 μg g−1 for Mn, from 0.18 to 2.53 μg g−1 for Ni, from 0.18 to 4.56 μg g−1 for Pb and from 44 to 135.25 μg g−1 for Zn. The factor analysis revealed the source of trace elements accumulation in the coral skeleton particularly Mn from detrital inputs and Cd from anthropogenic sources. This paper also highlights the nature of trace elements available in coral skeleton.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the Dr. M. Prithviraj, Director, Earth System Sciences, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for providing financial support (Grant No. SR/S4/ES-44/2003, dated: 01/11/2004) and also thank the authorities of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli and Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi for providing necessary facilities to carry out this work.
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Krishna Kumar, S., Chandrasekar, N. & Seralathan, P. Trace Elements Contamination in Coral Reef Skeleton, Gulf of Mannar, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 84, 141–146 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9905-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9905-3