Discrete bands of petroleum hydrocarbons and molecular organic markers identified within massive coral skeletons

摘要: The tissues of corals deposit an aragonite exoskeleton beneath their outer living film at a rate dependent on growth and hence environmental conditions. This typically results in annual (seasonal) bands being formed within colonies. By analysing molecular organic markers these bands, our research suggests that coral skeletons record contamination from oil potentially could be used to investigate other anthropogenic biogenic inputs. Our analyses sections (Porites lutea) sampled the Gulf coasts Kuwait Saudi Arabia demonstrate discrete which, using selected terpenoid biomarkers, can source-indexed specific fields (i.e. Kuwait, Iranian or Arabian crude oils). Together with dating microscopic X-ray inspection, this offers potential during recent years. Further is, however, necessary elucidate degradation mechanisms during, following, occlusion process organics skeletons.