What is a stromatolite? A stromatolite is produced by cyanobacteria. The distinctive layers are produced as calcium carbonate is precipitated over the growing mat of bacterial filaments. Photosynthesis in the bacteria depletes carbon dioxide in the surrounding water and makes it less acidic thus initiating the precipitation of the calcium carbonate. The minerals, along with … [Read more...] about Giant Stromatolites of Capitol Reef National Park
calcium carbonate
The Magic of Hoshizuna-no-hama: Exploring the Enchanting Star Sand Beach of Iriomote Island
Hoshizuna no Hama, located on the northern tip of the remote Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, is a small beach that boasts a unique feature – star-shaped sand. The beach is known as the “star sand beach” due to the grains of sand found here being shaped like tiny stars. However, these are not really sand grains, but the exoskeletons of a tiny one-celled organism … [Read more...] about The Magic of Hoshizuna-no-hama: Exploring the Enchanting Star Sand Beach of Iriomote Island