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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Faraday discussions
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40454454/ |
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Table of Contents:
- Seeing the invisible: XRF reveals lead distributions in coral organisms grown in the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba). Sauer, Katrein Neder, Maayan Zizak, Ivo Zaslansky, Paul Mass, Tali Anthozoa Animals Lead Indian Ocean Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission Water Pollutants, Chemical Coral Reefs Environmental Monitoring Lead (Pb) contamination in marine ecosystems poses a significant ecological threat. Not much is known about its effects on coral reefs, which serve as vital biodiversity hotspots and climate refuges. This study revealed bioaccumulation of Pb in the organism of two stony coral species, and , widely studied in the Gulf of Aqaba. Microfocus X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging revealed widespread accumulation of Pb within the coral tissues but not in the skeletons. The finding that Pb predominantly accumulates in the soft tissues with no evidence of Pb in the mineral suggests that exposure was short or of low concentration. Both highlight the great sensitivity of coral organisms to Pb uptake, with likely negative impacts on the organism. We suggest that anthropogenic Pb contamination, intensified by factors such as urban runoff or industrial discharges, still poses a serious risk to coral health and resilience despite years of efforts to curb exposure. Future research should focus on the kinetics of Pb bioaccumulation, effects of short-term long-term exposure and the combined effects of heavy metals and temperature on coral physiology.