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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Sedimentary Research (SEPM)

Abstract


Journal of Sedimentary Petrology
Vol. 46 (1976)No. 4. (December), Pages 974-977

Erosive Activities of Chitons at Aldabra Atoll

John D. Taylor, Kathie Way

ABSTRACT

Chitons, common on tropical limestone shores, use magnetite-capped radula teeth to scrape algae from upon and within the substrate, and at the same time remove quantities of rock debris. A quantitative estimate of the erosive activities of intertidal chitons at Aldabra Atoll shows that 0.023 g/day of rock debris are defecated by each chiton, which amounts to 40.20 g/m2/yr/chiton. This accounts for a 0.017 mm/m2/yr rate oF erosion of the rock surface, which is about 3.4% of the total erosion. Chitons, although effective agents at rock removal, are insufficiently abundant to be a major cause of intertidal erosion at Aldabra.


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