coral sand
Crushed reef debris
Coral sand is sand composed primarily of fragments of coral, shells, and other marine organisms rather than eroded rock.
It forms the white or pink beaches of tropical islands and coral atolls: The coral sand was so fine it squeaked underfoot.
Unlike silica sand, it's calcium carbonate—chemite from living reef systems ground down by waves.
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- calcium carbonateMineral in shells and marble
- tropical beachesWarm sandy coastlines
- island paradiseIdyllic landmass in water
- tropical islandWarm-climate landmass surrounded by ocean
coastal erosion · reef ecosystem · sediment · ocean acidification · mineralogy · granules · biodiversity · parrotfish · algae · mollusks · polyps · sea level rise · beach erosion · symbiosis · marine life · marine habitats · shallow waters · ocean currents