Research progress on coral skeleton fluorescence as an indicator of environmental changes

Jiang Leilei; Huang Dahua; Zhao Bailing; Yu Kefu

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Jiang Leilei，Huang Dahua，Zhao Bailing, et al. Research progress on coral skeleton fluorescence as an indicator of environmental changes[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(x)：1–12

Citation:

Jiang Leilei，Huang Dahua，Zhao Bailing, et al. Research progress on coral skeleton fluorescence as an indicator of environmental changes[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(x)：1–12

Citation:

Jiang Leilei，Huang Dahua，Zhao Bailing, et al. Research progress on coral skeleton fluorescence as an indicator of environmental changes[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(x)：1–12

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Research progress on coral skeleton fluorescence as an indicator of environmental changes

Jiang Leilei^1
,,
Huang Dahua¹,
Zhao Bailing¹,
Yu Kefu^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
2.
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China

Received Date: 2025-06-23
Rev Recd Date: 2025-08-20

Available Online: 2025-09-05

Abstract

Abstract

Massive Porites corals, widely inhabiting in tropical oceans, are considered ideal archives for high-resolution environmental records and have garnered significant attention in the fields of paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The fluorescence emitted by coral skeletons under long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light, due to its sensitivity to terrestrial runoff, pollutants, and climatic events, has emerged as an another tool for revealing various environmental changes related to rainfall, river discharge, and other factors. This review synthesizes the formation mechanisms of fluorescent substances in coral skeletons, measurement techniques, applications in environmental reconstruction, as well as current challenges and future research directions. Overall, the fluorescent signals in coral skeletons primarily originate from terrestrially derived organic matter dominated by fulvic acids and humic-like substances produced by symbiotic algal metabolism. Additionally, coral skeletal structure, mineral properties, and interactions with environmental factors such as rainfall and runoff influence fluorescence characteristics. By combining high-precision micro-sampling techniques with fluorescence analysis, scientists have successfully reconstructed environmental histories of terrestrial runoff, precipitation, and human activities across different timescales. Based on current international research progress, this paper suggests that future studies should explore novel analytical techniques, develop more accurate fluorescence-hydrological quantitative models by integrating multi-source data, and strengthen cross-validation with other proxy indicators to establish a high-precision, high-resolution global coral fluorescence database.
- coral skeleton,
- fluorescent bands,
- terrestrial fulvic acid,
- runoff,
- precipitation

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References(81)

References

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