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NOAA Ocean Podcast

Digging into the Science of Sand

Jul 31, 2023 · 12 min · 14.6 MB
0:00-12:48

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Parrotfish contribute to the development of sand by grinding the calcium-carbonate of coral reefs as they graze on algae and dead coral, excreting the inedible material as sand.

In this podcast, we dig into the science behind sand: the ways it’s formed, the benefits it provides ecosystems, and the protection it offers coastal communities. We’re joined by Dr. Matt Kendall, marine biologist with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.