Geochemical study of coral skeletons from the Puerto Morelos Reef, southeastern Mexico

Rare earth elements in the corals studied suggests abundant inorganic ions CO32− with variable pH in modern shallow well-oxygenated sea water. Lack of terrigenous input seawards is supported by geochemical, geomorphological and biological evidences. This study is an example of how geochemical data are useful to observe the differences in environmental conditions related to coral skeleton growth rates and morphology.