Abstract While many studies of coral bleaching report on broad, regional scale responses, fewer examine variation in susceptibility among taxa and changes community structure, before, during after individual reefs. Here we detail the response to by a highly disturbed reef site south mainland Singapore major thermal anomaly 2010. To estimate capacity for resistance stress, on: a) overall severity event, b) differences event c) structure one year before bleaching. Approximately two thirds...

This study reports the first well-replicated analysis of continuous coral growth records from warmer water reefs (mean annual sea surface temperatures (SST) >28.5 °C) around Thai-Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Based on analyses 70 colonies sampled 15 within six locations, region-wide declines calcification rate (ca. 18.6%), linear extension 15.4%) and skeletal bulk density 3.9%) were observed over a 31-year period 1980 to 2010. Decreases rates at five locations ranged ca. 17.2-21.6%...

Coral-associated bacteria and Symbiodiniaceae are critical for maintaining the health of their coral hosts. Factors that known to affect microbiome include biogeography, seasonality, environmental change, but longitudinal studies sorely lacking. Many temporal rarely extend beyond a year, limiting conclusions can be drawn. In this study, we characterised both bacterial communities in three species corals—Merulina ampliata, Pachyseris speciosa, Porites lutea—found an equatorial reef over...

Material fluxes at the land-ocean interface impact seawater composition and global cycling of elements. However, most attention has been focused on fluvial dissolved fluxes. For elements like lead (Pb), whose particulate flux into ocean is two orders magnitude higher than counterpart, role particulates in elemental potentially important but currently less appreciated. Using both chemical analyses samples collected from around equatorial Southeast Asia model simulations, we show that...

We characterized the annual luminescent and skeletal density banding patterns in 51 massive Porites corals from 15 reefs six locations around Thai-Malay Peninsula Southeast Asia, explored seasonal environmental cues/drivers of band formation. Location-specific recurrent were found at all study with a brighter occurring toward end year (∼October/November/December) (at five locations) ∼June (one location). Annual could only be discerned four locations, categorized into those that formed dense...

The symbiosis between corals and Symbiodinium dinoflagellates is considered a major driver of the distribution health reefs worldwide. This study investigated genetic identities diversity in seven coral species (Porites lutea, Porites lobata, Acropora millepora, Merulina ampliata, Diploastrea heliopora, Pachyseris speciosa, Pocillopora acuta) from three shallow around Singapore (Kusu Island, Pulau Tekukor, Satumu). Analyses 31 colonies using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis nuclear...

The spatial variability of Holocene relative sea level (RSL) in the South China Sea is unknown, with data restricted to Thailand, Malay Peninsula, and a few other isolated sites. In this study, we present new continuous RSL records for Borneo using surveyed U–Th dated coral microatolls from four sites western Sarawak. record spans 450 years 7450 7000 yr BP. Our suggest that was higher than rapid rise had ceased by We compare these reconstructions regional model glacial-isostatic adjustment...

Abstract Chemical analyses of coral skeletons are useful for reconstructing past ocean conditions. Simultaneous measurements Ba and Sr to Ca ratios in samples have predominantly been achieved by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). We demonstrate a method that expands the application optical emissions (ICP‐OES) technique precisely analyze Ba, Sr, simultaneously. Analytical drift matrix interferences at range Ba/Ca (3–10 μmols/mol) were explored determine efficacy...

Abstract Corals harbour diverse microbial communities that can change in composition as the host grows age and size. Larger older colonies have been shown to a higher diversity of taxa this has suggested be consequence their more numerous, complex varied micro-niches available. However, effects on community structure associates remain equivocal few studies performed date. To test relationship robustly, we use established techniques accurately determine coral by quantifying annual skeletal...

Abstract Some massive coral core slices reveal luminescent bands under ultraviolet light, which have been attributed to terrestrial humic acids in the skeleton. Coral luminescence has therefore used reconstruct past climate and hydrological variability. However, it remained unresolved how closely at sub-annual resolution is related acid concentrations. This study presents a solution-based fluorescence method quantify substances less than 4 mg of powder. The results show that corals from...

Anthropogenic lead (Pb) has been the overwhelming Pb source to global ocean, primarily contributed from gasoline and industrial emissions. However, since phased out globally, questions about whether there was a decrease in seawater concentration, or if are other sources taking over remains unclear Southeast Asia. Here, combining concentrations Singapore Strait 2010-2017; trap sediment 2018-2019; previously published coral reconstruction covering 1975-2010; we found that concentration past...

1. Fibreglass was used to make specially designed reef enhancement units (REUs) for three sites in Singapore. Units were established areas measuring approximately 20 × 50 m. 2. The are compact and light enough be deployed from small boats by scuba divers, suitable shallow reefs with limited visibility. 3. design of the REUs precludes excessive sediment build-up on settlement surfaces, while allowing water currents flow through system. 4. monitored monthly over two years observe community...

Abstract Despite the economic and ecological importance of corals’ skeletal structure, as well their predicted vulnerability to future climate change, few studies have examined mechanical properties at nanoscale. As change is alter coral growth physiology, increase stress events (e.g., bioerosion, storm frequency), it crucial understand how with environmental conditions. Moreover, while material are intimately linked chemical composition skeleton, no previous study has alongside carbonate...

Abstract Terrigenous dissolved organic matter (tDOM) carried by rivers represents an important carbon flux to the coastal ocean, which is thought be increasing globally. Because tDOM rich in light‐absorbent chromophoric (CDOM), it may also reduce amount of sunlight available ecosystems. Despite its biogeochemical and ecological significance, there are few long‐term records tDOM, hindering our understanding drivers dynamics. Corals incorporate terrestrial humic acids, constituent CDOM,...

Structures made by scleractinian corals support diverse ocean ecosystems. Despite the importance of coral skeletons and their predicted vulnerability to climate change, few studies have examined mechanical crystallographic properties at micro- nano-scales. Here, we investigated interplay microarchitectural organization with anisotropy within Porites measuring Young's modulus hardness along surfaces transverse longitudinal primary growth direction. We observed micro-scale anisotropy, where...

Abstract Since North America and European countries phased out leaded gasoline, Asia has become the major contemporary lead (Pb) source to marine environment, at first from but more recently coal burning other high‐temperature industrial activities (Flegal et al., 2013, https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2012.671738 ; Lee 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.04.030 ). Pb in Indian Ocean remains relatively under‐evaluated after ∼2000 is further complicated by various oceanic processes...

We present a comprehensive checklist of scleractinian (hard) corals for the Mersing Islands, Malaysia based on surveys conducted at 24 reefs across protected and unprotected marine areas. A total 261 species from 16 families one incertae sedis (Pachyseris spp.) were recorded, along with ten records that are new east coast Peninsular Malaysia. Compared against IUCN Red List, 46.7% coral found in Islands Least Concern (LC), 29.5% as Near Threatened (NT) 16.4% Vulnerable (V). Only recorded...

Abstract The riverine flux of terrigenous dissolved organic matter (tDOM) to the ocean is a significant contributor global carbon cycle. In response anthropogenic drivers expected increase. This may impact availability sunlight in coastal ecosystems, and seawater carbonate system CO 2 fluxes. Despite its significance, there are few long‐term high‐resolution time series tDOM parameters. Corals incorporate fluorescent molecules from chromophoric (CDOM) pool their skeletons. resulting coral...