Information AboutBioerosion |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT BIOEROSION | |
| geological processes | |
| geomorphology | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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Bioerosion of coral reefs generates the fine and white Coral Sand characteristic of tropical islands. The coral is converted to sand by internal bioeroders such as Algae , Fungi , Bacteria (microborers) and Sponge s ( Clionidae ), Bivalve s ( Lithophaga ), Sipunculan s ( Aspidosiphon ), polychaetes ( Eunicidae ), generating extremely fine sediment of 10 to 100 micrometres. External bioeroders include Urchin s ( Diadema ) and Chiton s ( Acanthopleura ). These forces in concern result in a great deal of erosion. Sea Urchin erosion of CaCO3 has been reported in some reefs at annual rates exceeding 20 kg/m². Fish also erode coral while eating Algae . Parrotfish cause a great deal of bioerosion, due to their well developed jaw muscle and tooth armature, and a Pharyngeal Mill , which grinds up ingested material into sand-sized particles. Bioerosion of reef Calcium Carbonate by parrotfish can range from 1017.7±186.3 kg yr-¹ (0.41±0.07 m³ yr-¹) for Chlorurus Gibbus and 23.6±3.4 kg yr-¹ (9.7 10-³±1.3 10-³ m²yr-¹) for Chlorurus Sordidus (Bellwood, 1995). SEE ALSO REFERENCES Belwood, D. R. (1995). Direct estimate of bioerosion by two parrotfish species, ''Chlorurus gibbus'' and ''C. sordidus'', on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. ''Marine Biology'', 121(3), 419-429. {Link without Title} |