No harm done!
Coral calcium comes from the coral reefs of Okinawa, Japan, and from the reefs off the coast of Brazil. Coral calcium can be harvested from the land or from the bed of the ocean at the base of the coral reefs.
Many of the coral islands of Okinawa are of volcanic origin. Often coral reefs that are associated with underwater volcanoes, such as these, grow sideways. They grow in this direction to cover the pits that the volcanoes produced in the seabed. By removing the Marine coral calcium droppings that pile up around the reefs, a pathway is cleared for expansion and new growth of the reef.
Marine coral sand, or calcium, is actually the droppings from the edges of the coral reefs. These droppings occur normally over many years as they disintegrate and pieces are broken off. Part of the disintegration and erosion of the reefs are caused by the normal actions of the waves. Waves can actually fracture small terminal elements of a coral reef. Some of the marine coral sand is the result of certain types of fish, which munch on the coral.
Removing the coral calcium from the seabed around the coral reef can be compared to pruning a rose bush. Because Okinawa is a group of very shallow islands, the coral sands build up significantly. The sands almost get to the point where they choke the coral reef. The harvesting of the coral calcium is strictly regulated and supervised by the Okinawan government. Only three Work Cooperatives have the authority to gather the coral sand from that area.
There is no damage to the living coral reef and they are actually rejuvenated and brought back to life. The dredges that are used to harvest marine coral by gently sucking the sand are called suction dredges. The coral is actually harvested three or four miles away form the closest reef. Fences surround the area where deep trenches are dug in order to protect the environment.
The methods used for harvesting coral calcium from the ocean floors are not endangering the ecosystem of the coral reefs.
Coral calcium comes from the coral reefs of Okinawa, Japan, and from the reefs off the coast of Brazil. Coral calcium can be harvested from the land or from the bed of the ocean at the base of the coral reefs.
Many of the coral islands of Okinawa are of volcanic origin. Often coral reefs that are associated with underwater volcanoes, such as these, grow sideways. They grow in this direction to cover the pits that the volcanoes produced in the seabed. By removing the Marine coral calcium droppings that pile up around the reefs, a pathway is cleared for expansion and new growth of the reef.
Marine coral sand, or calcium, is actually the droppings from the edges of the coral reefs. These droppings occur normally over many years as they disintegrate and pieces are broken off. Part of the disintegration and erosion of the reefs are caused by the normal actions of the waves. Waves can actually fracture small terminal elements of a coral reef. Some of the marine coral sand is the result of certain types of fish, which munch on the coral.
Removing the coral calcium from the seabed around the coral reef can be compared to pruning a rose bush. Because Okinawa is a group of very shallow islands, the coral sands build up significantly. The sands almost get to the point where they choke the coral reef. The harvesting of the coral calcium is strictly regulated and supervised by the Okinawan government. Only three Work Cooperatives have the authority to gather the coral sand from that area.
There is no damage to the living coral reef and they are actually rejuvenated and brought back to life. The dredges that are used to harvest marine coral by gently sucking the sand are called suction dredges. The coral is actually harvested three or four miles away form the closest reef. Fences surround the area where deep trenches are dug in order to protect the environment.
The methods used for harvesting coral calcium from the ocean floors are not endangering the ecosystem of the coral reefs.
