Archive for the 'Beach' Category
Sand from islands or tropical sites have sand that is high in Calcium, since seashells are rich in Calcium and are broken down to form sand there.
Inland lake, river, stream and pond sands are high in Silicon, since rocks are composed of various types of silicates which break down to form sand there.
Most of the [...]
At the International Beachcombing Conference from November 7-9, 2009 in Annapolis, MD. The conference brings together experienced and novice beachcombers to discuss what factors are affecting the beachcombing experience. The conference is held at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s LEED certified Phillip Merrill Environmental Center and is sponsored by The Society for Ocean Sciences, The Chesapeake [...]
Sea glass can be thought of as a well traveled piece of history. The hard substances that you find have spent a considerable amount of time floating in the ocean. It has been tumbling along the sand and water for so long that that the glass, slate or what have you, has been polished by [...]
Rest assure those crab shells are simply that – shells. Crabs (of all kinds – blue. lady, horseshoe) go through a molting phase and the old shell is basically washed up in the wrack line.
The wrack line is that line of seemingly dead seaweed that entangles lots of fun ocean treasures such as sea beans, [...]
An arenophile is someone that collects sand specimens from different beaches.
Not to be confused with a person that loves aviation – an areophile.
But we’ve only scratched the surface here. Check back often at http://www.beachchairscientist.com for more insight about your favorite beach discoveries.
Mmm, basically the current closest to the ocean floor is moving offshore and dumps small piles of sand right at the wave break area. Think about it – once you walk right past the sand bar – that’s where all of the good waves are, right?
The sand accumulates to various degrees, and regardless it makes [...]
What I think you are referring to is the trail of a moon snail, or sometimes called a sand snail. This univalve animal has a cinnamon bun swirled shell. The shell is extremely thick to protect itself from the ocean and other animals that may try to eat it.
If you try to pick it up [...]
Theoretically, a barrier island is there to protect the mainland from harsh weather.
Barrier islands are a permanently exposed “mountains” from the bottom of the ocean made up of sand and rock and pebble. A lot of barrier islands are developed – as you drive to a barrier island you inevitably cross a bridge that is [...]
…It’s Charismatic Microfauna!
Well, yes there’s the sand, but there is also an unrecognized and perhaps even shocking biodiversity that lies not quite below the surface.
Would you believe me if I told you that in a single handful of wet sand you could be holding a community of organisms equaling, if not exceeding, the diversity found [...]
Sand is basically the tiny particles eroded from the mountains or rock formation closest to the beach you are standing on as well as some other bits and pieces. The three main ingredients common to all the beaches are: quartz, old shell parts, and decayed materials from the sea and land.
I saw the most [...]
