Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2016, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (5): 62-74.doi: 10.11978.2015154CSTR: 32234.14.10.11978.2015154

• Marine Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent development in the research of REE geochemistry in coral reef environmental record

JIANG Wei1, 2, YU Kefu1, 2, 3, WANG Yinghui1, 2, XU Shendong1, 2   

  1. 1. Coral Reef Research Centre of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China;; 2. School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China;; 3. South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2015-12-17 Online:2016-08-29 Published:2016-09-22
  • Contact: Corresponding author: YU Kefu. E-mail: kefuyu@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Foundation item: National Key Basic Research Program of China (2013CB956102); Key Project Supported by the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91428203); Guangxi Ba-Gui Fellowship (2014BGXZGX03)

Abstract: We review the recent development in the research of rare earth element (REE) geochemical record in coral skeleton and its response to the past environmental change. Environmental records reconstructed by REE geochemistry in coral reefs mainly include: sea level change, coastal pollution, groundwater discharge, oxidation-reduction process, among others. The environmental responses are primarily revealed by the changes of concentrations in REE, distribution pattern of what and Ce or Eu anomalies. REE demonstrated an excellent application prospect for its high stability, rich information and veracity. In future studies, the interspecific and spatial diversity of REE concentrations in coral skeletons and the effects of diagenesis on the concentrations and distribution patterns of REE in coral skeletons need to be explored to build more precise and longer time sequenced environmental information in the coral growth period.

Key words: rare earth element (REE), coral reef, environmental record, seawater, carbonatite