Geochemical data on otoliths of chaetodon speculum from New Caledonia

The size distribution, growth rate, age distribution and whole otolith composition were analysed at each site. Age and mean growth rate were analysed from daily increments of the otoliths. The concentrations of eight elements (Li, Mg, Co, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Ba) were measured by ICP-MS in the otoliths.

The sites under anthropogenic impact were distinct from the control site by fish size frequencies, age distributions, and the chemical content of their otoliths. The chemical elements Mg, Co, Cu, and Rb showed differences amongst sites. Fish belonging to the sites furthest from Noume´a could be discriminated in nearly 80% of samples or 60% of the cases when otolith weight or fish age respectively were taken into account.

Ni concentrations of the otoliths were also higher in the bays where water concentrations of this element were known to be higher, but these differences were no longer significant once corrected for otolith weight. Important

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