Trace analysis of hydrocarbons in Porites coral cores from the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Short coral cores were collected from 28 Porites coral colonies at four reef sites (Jurayd, Jana, Karan and Gosp-4) in the Arabian Gulf in January-February 2003. The coral cores were mounted, sliced and X-rayed to reveal annual density banding patterns. Fifteen of the 28 cores were sufficiently intact for accurate identification of year bands and chemical analysis.Samples were cut from one or two slices of each core down to the earliest year band. Samples chosen for analysis included the 1991 and where possible, the 1983 year bands. Samples were then cut into year-bands and pieces of coral belonging to one year band were placed into separate solvent cleaned 20ml glass vials.After extraction using dichloromethane and sonication and being passed through a column containing sodium sulphate, samples were scanned by ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy (UVF) and were then analysed using gas chromotography and mass spectroscopy detection (GCMS).
The purpose of this research was to conduct a study of hydrocarbon biomarkers in corals as part of an assessment of the impact of the 1991 oil spill on Arabian Gulf coral reefs.
Growth data derived from these cores are described in the metadata record "Growth records in Porites coral cores from the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia"