MH-ICP-MS Analysis of the Freshwater and Saltwater Environmental Resources of Upolu Island, Samoa
Sasan Rabieh,
Odmaa Bayaraa,
Emarosa Romeo,
Patila Amosa,
Khemet Calnek,
Youssef Idaghdour,
Michael A. Ochsenkühn,
Shady A. Amin,
Gary Goldstein,
Timothy G. Bromage
Affiliations
Sasan Rabieh
Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA
Odmaa Bayaraa
Environmental Genomics Lab, Biology Program, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE
Emarosa Romeo
Hydrology Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Level 3, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building (TATTE), Sogi., P.O. Private Bag, Apia 95564, Samoa
Patila Amosa
Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, P.O. Box 1622, Apia 95564, Samoa
Khemet Calnek
Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA
Youssef Idaghdour
Environmental Genomics Lab, Biology Program, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE
Michael A. Ochsenkühn
Marine Microbial Ecology Lab, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE
Shady A. Amin
Marine Microbial Ecology Lab, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE
Gary Goldstein
College of Dentistry, New York University, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA
Timothy G. Bromage
Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA
The elemental composition of freshwater and saltwater samples around the South Pacific island of Upolu, Samoa has been investigated together with other indicators of water quality. Up to 69 elements from Li (3) to U (92) are measured in each sample, analyzed by Mattauch–Herzog-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MH-ICP-MS). One hundred and seventy-six samples were collected from surface freshwater sources (24 rivers, two volcanic lakes, one dam) and from seawater sources from the surface to 30 m depth (45 inner reef, reef, and outer reef locations) around Upolu Island, including river mouths and estuaries. Principal component and hierarchical clustering correlation analyses were performed on quantile normalized log transformed elemental composition data to identify groups of samples with similar characteristics and to improve the visualization of the full spectrum of elements. Human activities, such as the use of herbicides and pesticides, may relate to observed elevated concentrations of some elements contained in chemicals known to have deleterious obesogenic effects on humans that may also cause coral reef decline. Furthermore, the salinity of some saltwater samples tested were very high, possibly due to climate variability, which may additionally harm the health and biodiversity of coral reefs.
