They are called oases of the ocean, and there is little in this world can compare with the beauty of them.They - cherished dream of every lover of scuba diving, and more - home to millions of fish ... In this article, we'll discuss one of the most amazing creations of nature - on the reefs.
meaning and definition
Reefs - what is it?With the Dutch word "reef" is translated as "rib".Initially, the term was used by geographers and oceanographers to denote a narrow rocky terrain, dangerous for shipping.Today reefs called coral-algal mainly education on the ocean floor.They may be of various configurations and sizes, have different feature locations.But "building materials" for the reef can serve not only the corals.
Types reef
Depending on from what nature has reefs, they are divided into several types.
For example, a rocky reef formed as a result of the destruction of the rocky coast or the bottom.This natural phenomenon can be seen off the coast of Canada.In some areas, the waters of Scotland there are reefs by tube worms.Yet sometimes the "builders" of this miracle of nature are the oysters and bryozoans.Sometimes you can meet the barrier reef of sea grass.Sometimes the basis for its establishment are sponges.This reef, respectively, called sponge, and if "bothered" cyanobacteria called stromatolites is education.Finally, they called artificial reefs, which are the result of human labor.
But all of these phenomena in nature are extremely rare.The vast majority of the planet's reefs - a waste product of coral.
Coral reefs - what is it?
Underwater or partially located on the surface of the limestone formation, which became material for the colony of polyps, and certain types of algae, called coral reefs.
polyps belong to a class of marine invertebrates.They live in shallow waters in the warm waters of the tropics.When a colony of coral polyps die, still a lot of skeletons.And from above settle the descendants of the dead, which will eventually fill up "a handful" his remains.And so on, ad infinitum.It turns out that the coral reef - it is nothing like the concentrated mass, consisting of a large number of living and dead polyps.
But not every good coral as construction for the reef and the only one that is able to absorb calcium carbonate from the water of the ocean.It is responsible for the formation of calcium skeleton.And the latter, in turn, then becomes the basis for a coral formation.
Scientists say that for the ability to absorb calcium is responsible unicellular algae existing in the body of the polyp.If an element is absent, the coral could not participate in the creation of the reef.
Corals can have a variety of fancy shapes, like configuration formed by them.As for the size, it is for millions of years, grow a giant.And sometimes so intricate "lace" create reefs on the seabed that is difficult to even imagine.It only needs to see with his own eyes.
Where "inhabited" coral reefs
Photos can be seen in this article.One of the features of coral reefs is their thermophilic.They - the fragile structure, cold water with high or low salinity, as well as lack of sunlight contribute to their rapid destruction.Therefore, the main venue for the dwelling they choose warm and comfortable sea Southeast Asia, collected almost 45% of the world "collection."18% of reefs "live" in the Pacific Ocean, 17% - in the Indian, 14% - in the Atlantic, and 6% - in the Red Sea.
But there are exceptions.Scientists have known colony reefs that live in cold water.They are scattered around the world and lurk in deep water (about one kilometer).This is another of their distinguishing feature, because the reefs are not prone to "winter swimming", usually choose to live shallows.The total area reserves of these amazing marine facilities of the planet is about 27 million square kilometers.
population of coral castles
The oases of marine deserts of coral reefs called for a reason, and because the richest stocks of fish that inhabit the "beautiful castle."They draw here, of course, not the beauty of nature, and delicious food in the form of polyps.Thus, the house is still fishes and lunch.
in each of the hundreds of varieties of live reef fish.They tend to be small and very bright.Red, poisonous yellow, green, purple, black ... Constant melteshenie these "lanterns" around the body of the reef creates an indescribable picture.
and impressive scale.From 20 thousand of bony fishes about a third of the world lives in coral reefs.In addition to fish, contains a huge number of worms, mollusks, sponges, crustaceans and algae.
Types of coral reefs
Depending on the location distinguish several basic types of coral reefs:
- Coast (or flanking) reefs cover ring the island and are located in the shallow waters.It is a narrow terrace, which begins and ends on the shore at a distance, in the water.
- Barrier reefs much more distant from the coastline and separated from it by a deep depression.
- completely hidden reef under water.Neither uchastochek it does not protrude above the sea surface.Such configurations are called atolls.
largest barrier reef in the world
most famous and great barrier reef in the world is considered to be an Australian.It is located in the northeastern part of the area surrounding this continent, and stretches along the Queensland, covering approximately 435 square kilometers.In such an area could accommodate ships of all countries in the world, and there would be a place for a small country.
This gigantic conglomeration of colorful corals began to form another 18 million years ago, and for such a long period of time to grow to unprecedented size, which is impressive to see even more diving.The Great Barrier Reef is composed of many large and small, in the form of unique islands.It can be seen from space!
treasures of the Red Sea Coral
Not every traveler can afford to go to admire the reef in Australia.But there is a great alternative - Egypt.The immense wealth of the Red Sea is impressive and therefore attracts millions of tourists.
Coral reefs in Egypt are characterized by their diversity and magic pink and blue colors.In addition, they are a magnet for marine life.Sank to the bottom, you can see not only beautiful coral castles, but also a huge number of rare fish.Dolphins frolic in the shallow water, and the coast dotted with resting turtles.They, too, as the tourists arrived, responding to the "call of the coral."
In this article, we are different in size and form reefs that such reefs and what is their charm.We describe all their varieties.Admire the reef, photos of which we present, it is also possible in this article.Once again we remind that the coral species are the most common.Therefore, when it is carried out on the reef, 90% of cases are due to just coral.You can see in the photos, this is a truly spectacular sight.Today, coral reefs are considered to be virtually one of the wonders of the world.
