Information AboutReef |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT REEF | |
| landforms | |
| stratigraphy | |
| coastal geography | |
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.]] In nautical terminology, a reef is a Rock , Sandbar , or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water yet shallow enough to be a hazard to Ships . Many reefs result from Abiotic processes—deposition of sand, wave erosion planning down rock outcrops, and other natural processes— but the best-known reefs are those of Tropical waters developed through Biotic processes dominated by Coral s and Calcareous Algae . Reefs can be created artificially either by special construction or through deliberately sinking ships, but one can argue that these "reefs" are not real ones, as it is seldom the case that an artificial obstruction would be created that is a hazard to shipping. These structures are usually created to enhance physical complexity on generally featureless sand bottoms in order to attract a diverse assemblage of organisms, especially Fish es. Thus, " Artificial Reef " is a misnomer, though firmly established as the term used for man-made underwater habitat structures. BIOTIC REEF TYPES There are a number of biotic reef types, including Oyster reefs, but the most massive and widely distributed are tropical Coral Reef s. Although corals are major contributors to the framework and bulk material comprising a coral reef, the organisms most responsible for reef growth against the constant assault from ocean waves are calcarous algae, especially, although not entirely, species of Coralline Algae . GEOLOGIC REEF STRUCTURES Ancient reefs buried within Stratigraphic sections are of considerable interest to Geologist s because they provide paleo-environmental information about the location in Earth's History . In addition, reef structures within a sequence of Sedimentary Rock s provide a discontinuity which may serve as a trap or conduit for Fossil Fuel s or mineralizing fluids to form Petroleum or Ore deposits. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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