sedimentary
Carbonate Beach Sand
Biogenic Carbonate Sediment (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 3 (Calcite); Color: white to light tan; Luster: earthy; Structure: granular/fragmental; Specific Gravity: approx 2.7.
- Hardness
- 3 (Calcite)
- Color
- white to light tan
- Luster
- earthy
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Carbonate Beach Sand in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (Calcite); Color: white to light tan; Luster: earthy; Structure: granular/fragmental; Specific Gravity: approx 2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the erosion of coral reefs, mollusks, and calcareous algae. Common in tropical marine environments, often dating from the Holocene epoch.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, concrete production, beach nourishment, and aquarium substrates.
Geological facts
Many tropical white sand beaches are composed primarily of parrotfish excrement, as they eat coral and excrete it as fine sand.
Field identification & locations
Identify by granular texture and reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (fizzing). Commonly found in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Maldives.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
sedimentary
Sedimentary Sandstone
Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)
sedimentary
Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment
Lithic fragment / Weathered rock
sedimentary