Data from: Physiological responses of scleractinian coral to trace metal enrichment and thermal stress
Data files
Nov 11, 2025 version files 39.46 KB
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Data_for_Dryad.xlsx
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README.md
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Abstract
Coral bleaching events are increasingly frequent due to global climate change and marine pollution. Trace metals, such as manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), though toxic at high concentrations, are vital for coral physiology, supporting photosynthesis and antioxidation. This study investigates how thermal stress and trace metal exposure interact to influence the physiology of the scleractinian corals Turbinaria irregularis and Montipora mollis. Corals were exposed to Mn and Fe at varying concentrations under control (25°C) and elevated (30°C) temperatures. Mn enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, an increase of 1.7% in M. mollis at 250 nM and 1.4% in T. irregularis at 30°C (p < 0.05). Fe improved photosynthesis by 1.8% in M. mollis at 50 nM and growth rates by 2.1% in T. irregularis at 25°C (p < 0.05). Both metals mitigated bleaching, as seen in reduced relative gray intensity and increased symbiotic algal density, particularly at moderate concentrations. However, elevated temperatures suppressed growth and photosynthetic efficiency, with decreases up to 1.6% in M. mollis (p < 0.01). These results highlight the pivotal role of trace metals in coral health and stress resilience, while emphasizing the importance of species-specific differences in trace metal uptake, thermal tolerance, and physiological responses. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms and long-term impacts of these interactions in the face of ongoing climate change.
Raw data belonging to:
Ting-Hsuan Tu, Hung-Yen Hsieh, Pei-Jie Meng, and Chung-Chi Chen (2024). Physiological responses of scleractinian coral to trace metal enrichment and thermal stress.
File Information
Data_for_Dryad.xlsx
Fig. 2_PSII: The photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) of the scleractinian corals.
Unit: All (Fv/Fm) and standard errors are dimensionless
Manganese (Mn) treatment
Column: Variables
A: Mn treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
B: (Fv/Fm) of Montipora mollis at 25°C
C: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Mn_M_25
D: (Fv/Fm) of Montipora mollis at 30°C
E: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Mn_M_30
F: (Fv/Fm) of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
G: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Mn_T_25
H: (Fv/Fm) of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
I: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Mn_T_30
Iron (Fe) Treatment
J: Fe treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
K: (Fv/Fm) of Montipora mollis at 25°C
L: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Fe_M_25
M: (Fv/Fm) of Montipora mollis at 30°C
N: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Fe_M_30
O: (Fv/Fm) of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
P: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Fe_T_25
Q: (Fv/Fm) of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
R: Standard error for (Fv/Fm)_Fe_T_30
Fig. 3. Growth rate: Growth rate of the scleractinian corals
Units: All growth rate and standard erros are in g cm-2 d-1
Manganese (Mn) treatment
Column: Variable
A: Mn treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
B: Growth rate of Montipora mollis at 25°C
C: Standard error for Growth_Mn_M_25
D: Growth rate of Montipora mollis at 30°C
E: Standard error for Growth_Mn_M_30
F: Growth rate of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
G: Standard error for Growth_Mn_T_25
H: Growth rate of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
I: Standard error for Growth_Mn_T_30
Iron (Fe) Treatment
J: Fe treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
K: Growth rate of Montipora mollis at 25°C
L: Standard error for Growth_Fe_M_25
M: Growth rate of Montipora mollis at 30°C
N: Standard error for Growth_Fe_M_30
O: Growth rate of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
P: Standard error for Growth_Fe_T_25
Q: Growth rate of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
R: Standard error for Growth_Fe_T_30
Fig. 4. MIGRE: The relative mean intensity of gray (MIGRE) of the scleractinian corals.
""Unit:'' All MIGRE and standard errors are dimensionless
Manganese (Mn) treatment
Column: Variables
A: Mn treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
B: MIGRE of Montipora mollis at 25°C
C: Standard error forMIGRE_Mn_M_25
D: MIGREof Montipora mollis at 30°C
E: Standard error for MIGRE_Mn_M_30
F: MIGRE of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
G: Standard error for MIGRE_Mn_T_25
H: MIGRE of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
I: Standard error for MIGRE_Mn_T_30
Iron (Fe) Treatment
J: Fe treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
K: MIGRE of Montipora mollis at 25°C
L: Standard error for MIGRE_Fe_M_25
M: MIGRE of Montipora mollis at 30°C
N: Standard error for MIGRE_Fe_M_30
O: MIGRE of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
P: Standard error for MIGRE_Fe_T_25
Q: MIGRE of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
R: Standard error for MIGRE_Fe_T_30
Fig. 5. Algal density: Symbiotic algal density of the scleractinian corals.
Units: All algal density and standard errors are in x 105 cells cm-2
Manganese (Mn) treatment
Column: Variable
A: Mn treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
B: Algal density of Montipora mollis at 25°C
C: Standard error for Algal density_Mn_M_25
D: Algal density of Montipora mollis at 30°C
E: Standard error for Algal density_Mn_M_30
F: Algal density of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
G: Standard error for Algal density_Mn_T_25
H: Algal density of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
I: Standard error for Algal density_Mn_T_30
Iron (Fe) Treatment
J: Fe treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
K: Algal density of Montipora mollis at 25°C
L: Standard error for Algal density_Fe_M_25
M: Algal density of Montipora mollis at 30°C
N: Standard error for Algal density_Fe_M_30
O: Algal density of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
P: Standard error for Algal density_Fe_T_25
Q: Algal density of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
R: Standard error for Algal density_Fe_T_30
Fig. 6. Chl a: Chl a of the scleractinian corals.
Units: All Chl a and standard erros are in μg cm-2
Manganese (Mn) treatment
Column: Variables
A: Mn treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
B: Chl a of Montipora mollis at 25°C
C: Standard error for Chl a_Mn_M_25
D: Chl a of Montipora mollis at 30°C
E: Standard error for Chl a_Mn_M_30
F: Chl a of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
G: Standard error for Chl a_Mn_T_25
H: Chl a of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
I: Standard error for Chl a_Mn_T_30
Iron (Fe) Treatment
J: Fe treatment (Control, 50 nM, 100 nM, 250 nM)
K: Chl a of Montipora mollis at 25°C
L: Standard error for Chl a_Fe_M_25
M: Chl a of Montipora mollis at 30°C
N: Standard error for Chl a_Fe_M_30
O: Chl a of Turbinaria irregularis at 25°C
P: Standard error for Chl a_Fe_T_25
Q: Chl a of Turbinaria irregularis at 30°C
R: Standard error for Chl a_Fe_T_30
Fig. S1. water temperature: The water temperature throughout the experimental periods in manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) treatments.
Unit: Date is experimetnal day; water temperature and standard errors are in °C
Manganese (Mn) treatment at 25°C
Column: Variables
A: Date
B: Water temperature at control of Mn at 25°C
C: Standard errors of water temperature at control of Mn at 25°C
D: Water temperature at 50nM of Mn at 25°C
E: Standard errors of water temperature at 50nM of Mn at 25°C
F: Water temperature at 100nM of Mn at 25°C
G: Standard errors of water temperature at 100nM of Mn at 25°C
H: Water temperature at 250nM of Mn at 25°C
I: Standard errors of water temperature at 250nM of Mn at 25°C
Manganese (Mn) treatment at 30°C
J: Water temperature at control of Mn at 25°C
K: Standard errors of water temperature at control of Mn at 30°C
L: Water temperature at 50nM of Mn at 30°C
M: Standard errors of water temperature at 50nM of Mn at 30°C
N: Water temperature at 100nM of Mn at 30°C
O: Standard errors of water temperature at 100nM of Mn at 30°C
P: Water temperature at 250nM of Mn at 30°C
Q: Standard errors of water temperature at 250nM of Mn at 30°C
Iron (Fe) treatment at 25°C
R: Water temperature at control of Fe at 25°C
S: Standard errors of water temperature at control of Fe at 25°C
T: Water temperature at 50nM of Fe at 25°C
U: Standard errors of water temperature at 50nM of Fe at 25°C
V: Water temperature at 100nM of Fe at 25°C
W: Standard errors of water temperature at 100nM of Fe at 25°C
X: Water temperature at 250nM of Fe at 25°C
Y: Standard errors of water temperature at 250nM of Fe at 25°C
Iron (Fe) treatment at 30°C
Z: Water temperature at control of Fe at 30°C
AA: Standard errors of water temperature at control of Fe at 30°C
AB: Water temperature at 50nM of Fe at 30°C
AC: Standard errors of water temperature at 50nM of Fe at 30°C
AD: Water temperature at 100nM of Fe at 30°C
AE: Standard errors of water temperature at 100nM of Fe at 30°C
AF: Water temperature at 250nM of Fe at 30°C
AG: Standard errors of water temperature at 250nM of Fe at 30°C
Fig. S2. Trace metal concentration: Trace metal concentration throughout the experimental periods at Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) treatments in different water temperatures
Unit: Date is experimetnal day; trace metal concentratoin and standard errors are in nM
Note: NA = data not available (no data on that date)
Manganese (Mn) treatment at 25°C
Column: Variables
A: Date
B: Trace metal concentration at control of Mn at 25°C
C: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at control of Mn at 25°C
D: Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Mn at 25°C
E: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Mn at 25°C
F: Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Mn at 25°C
G: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Mn at 25°C
H: Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Mn at 25°C
I: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Mn at 25°C
Manganese (Mn) treatment at 30°C
J: Trace metal concentration at control of Mn at 25°C
K: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at control of Mn at 30°C
L: Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Mn at 30°C
M: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Mn at 30°C
N: Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Mn at 30°C
O: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Mn at 30°C
P: Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Mn at 30°C
Q: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Mn at 30°C
Iron (Fe) treatment at 25°C
R: Trace metal concentration at control of Fe at 25°C
S: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at control of Fe at 25°C
T: Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Fe at 25°C
U: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Fe at 25°C
V: Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Fe at 25°C
W: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Fe at 25°C
X: Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Fe at 25°C
Y: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Fe at 25°C
Iron (Fe) treatment at 30°C
Z: Trace metal concentration at control of Fe at 30°C
AA: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at control of Fe at 30°C
AB: Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Fe at 30°C
AC: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 50nM of Fe at 30°C
AD: Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Fe at 30°C
AE: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 100nM of Fe at 30°C
AF: Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Fe at 30°C
AG: Standard errors of Trace metal concentration at 250nM of Fe at 30°C
This study aimed to explore the effects of Fe and Mn supplementation on the physiological parameters of two coral species, Turbinaria irregularis and Montipora mollis, under both normal and heat stress treatments. The experimental design, which was based on previous research (Biscéré et al., 2018), incorporated two temperature levels (25°C ± 1°C and 30°C ± 1°C) and two trace metals (Fe2+ and Mn2+) at three concentrations each (50, 100, and 250 nM), as outlined by Reich et al. (2020) and Rodriguez and Ho (2018). A control not exposed to metals was also included. Each treatment was replicated, and the experiment ran for a duration of 14 days. On-site measurements of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH were conducted daily using a handheld multiparameter water quality meter (ProDSS multiparameter digital water quality meter, YSI; Xylem Inc., USA). Digital photographs of coral branches were taken at the experiment’s outset and conclusion for later analysis. Following the experiment, each set of coral fragments was individually enveloped in aluminum foil and placed in a freezer set to -20°C for subsequent analysis of physiological indices. Tissue was rinsed using high-pressure water, and the resultant homogenate was measured to 40 mL for subsequent physiological index analyses. Symbiotic algae density and chlorophyll a (Chl a) content were further normalized based on the sample surface area, and these parameters were compared and analyzed using standardized values. The analyzed methods for each variable can be found from the paper. Statistical analysis in this study was performed using SPSS 14.0 software (https://spss.software.informer.com/14.0/), with graphing software by Grapher (v.16.0.314, Golden Software, USA). A two-way ANOVA was used to compare the various measurement parameters between different temperatures and trace metal treatments to determine whether there were any differences. Tukey’s test was employed for post hoc analysis. If the basic assumptions were not met, the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used instead. The Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used to determine the strength of correlations. A p-value of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) was considered to indicate a significant difference. Data are presented as the mean (± SE).