Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

An Integrated Micro-Device System for Coral Growth and Monitoring
Published on: July 21, 2023
An assessment of an environmental gradient using coral geochemical records, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef,
S E Lewis1, J E Brodie, M T McCulloch
1Catchment to Reef Research Group, Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. stephen.lewis@jcu.edu.au
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Global Climate Change
Testing Water Quality
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Quality of Water

