Compiled database of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in reef-building corals from global literature

This dataset contains bibliographic metadata and quantitative chemical contaminant concentration data extracted from the global literature for the systematic review entitled “Trace Elements and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Distribution in Scleractinian Corals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” The dataset was compiled through a systematic literature search conducted in two major academic databases: Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) and Scopus. The literature search was performed between October 2025 and March 2026. The database consists of six main files. Files containing the term “Phase1” include all records retained after title and abstract screening and indicate which studies were selected for full-text screening. The file “variable_dictionary_phase1” provides a detailed description of all variables included in these databases. Files containing the term “Phase2” include all studies that passed the full-text screening and were considered eligible for data extraction. The column “data_extracted” indicates whether quantitative contaminant concentration data were successfully extracted from each study. Studies for which numerical data were extracted are represented in the corresponding contaminant concentration datasets. The file “variable_dictionary_phase2” provides a detailed description of all variables included in the Phase 2 databases. The file “PAHs_abbreviation_dictionary” contains the abbreviations used for the names of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) included in the dataset. Files entitled “clean_(chemical contaminant)_concentration” contain the numerical contaminant concentration data extracted from the literature. These datasets were subjected to data-cleaning procedures, including the correction of typographical errors and the standardization of concentration units, to facilitate subsequent statistical analyses. The file “variable_dictionary_concentrations” provides a detailed description of all variables included in the concentrations databases. The compiled "clean_(chemical contaminant)_concentration" database comprised 2,346 trace metal(loid) concentration records and 2,964 PAH concentration records extracted from 41 field studies on reef-building corals conducted across 16 countries worldwide. To our knowledge, the resulting database represents the most comprehensive compilation currently available of contaminant concentration data in scleractinian corals. Additional information about the datasets, file structure, and variables can be found in the README.md file. For further details regarding the methodology, data extraction process, and analysis, please refer to the associated published article.