RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF CORAL δ¹⁸O OF PORITES LUTEA FROM SHALAO,HAINAN ISLAND

Based on the determination of the oxygen isotopic analysis of the skeleton of living Porites lutea in Shalao fringing reef, Hainan Island, we obtained a coral δ¹⁸O record for an 11 year period(1992-2002). We have assessed the characteristics of coral δ¹⁸O signals responding to environmental conditions by comparing coral δ¹⁸O variation with a local record of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface salinity (SSS), respectively. We conclude from our comparison that the annual variation of δ¹⁸O is controlled by SST, whereas the seasonal variation of it by SSS.