Volcanic ash leaching alters the trace metal distribution within the coral holobiont of <i>Stylophora pistillata</i>

Abstract. Explosive volcanic eruptions generate large amounts of volcanic ash that release essential and nonessential trace metals upon deposition in seawater, modifying its chemical composition. Tropical scleractinian corals, known for accumulating trace metals, are susceptible to these changes, making them valuable biomonitors for increased metal concentrations. In this study, we investigated how volcanic ash leaching influences trace metal partitioning within the hermatypic branching coral Stylophora pistillata through six-week coral culture experiments. Coral nubbins were reared under control and ash exposed conditions, with 2.5 g ash added three times a week (averaging 250 mg L−1 per week). We quantified trace metals (V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in the ash-seawater leachate, and in three distinct coral compartments (skeleton, tissue and symbionts). 24 hour ash leaching experiments at a ratio of 1 : 100 (g ash : mL seawater) demonstrated that ash from La Soufrière (St. Vincent) released trace metals in the order Mn, Zn, Co, Cu, Cd, Fe, and Ni into seawater, while Pb and V were scavenged. Trace metal concentrations in coral compartments correlated with seawater concentrations, with most significant changes observed in the skeletal metal content. Ash exposure enriched skeletal concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn while depleting Cu and Pb. Ash leaching also shifted the metal distribution in coral skeletons, affecting relationships between transition and alkaline earth/alkali metals. Apparent skeletal distribution coefficients (KEl) for labgrown corals showed most trace metals were less abundant in skeletons than seawater (KEl &lt; 1), except for Pb, Cd and Co (KEl &gt; 1). Metal concentrations varied between tissues and symbionts, with Mn and Fe significantly enriched in ash exposed tissues. Volcanic ash releases a range of trace metals, altering the coral metallome by affecting bioaccumulation and metal redistribution across coral compartments. These findings not only advance our understanding of coral trace metal dynamics at the organismal level, but also provide a basis for estimating environmental metal fluxes during future eruptive scenarios and help interpret geochemical coral archives of past eruptions.