Times of the Islands Spring 2021

Walking along these beaches, we can find little clues
that can tell their story, if we only stop to listen. This
includes anything from shells and coral skeletons to cameras
and plastic. This is a journey you can take at any
time and at your own pace. Let’s stroll along one of the
Turks & Caicos Islands’ beautiful beaches and explore the
wonders we can find.
Our journey begins with the beautiful white sand.
Although our sand doesn’t come from faraway mountain
tops, its journey is no less extravagant. Those beautiful
beaches that are so characteristic of the Caribbean are
likely composed of calcium carbonate, or limestone, and
weathered-away bits of the limestone islands. As rain and
storms wash over the land, they slowly erode away the
rocks and minerals that make up these islands, which can
end up as sand on the beaches.
But how does limestone find its way onto the beach?
This limestone actually plays a huge role in our oceans
and is one of the magical links between those mysterious
depths and our morning beach walks.
Animals such as corals, mollusks and echinoderms
(think sea stars, sea biscuits and sand dollars) rely on
calcium carbonate to build their shells or skeletons. After
these organisms die, their shells or skeletons can be
eroded by wave energy and end up as sand. More inter-
Above: Unlike live sand dollars which have hair-like projections, a
sand dollar test (skeleton) will be smooth.
Below: Dead and dried out gorgonians, the main prey of flamingo
tongue snails, are often found along TCI’s beaches.
MELISSA HERES
MELISSA HERES
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