More Images More Clay
I’ve added more images from coastal reefs of Mahurangi Harbour to pacificimages.net. They bear a testimony of how our surface activity affects the ocean, especially the enclosed harbours and bays. The soil around the harbour is mostly clay. When exposed the extremely fine clay particles get into water. Scattered in the water column they make the water murky which means less light for plants and algae. On the bottom they create a layer in which not much can survive.
Bright green algae with globular shape on rocky bottom covered with fine mud in shallows of murky harbour. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand
Rocks covered with short algae and patches of bright encrusting sponges on flat bottom in subtidal zone of murky harbour. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand
Rock with growth of stalked brown kelp and Mediterranean fanworms partially buried in fine sediment on bottom of muddy harbour. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand
Various shallow water seaweeds covered with fine sediment in murky harbour. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand
Typical solitary rock in muddy shallows of Mahurangi Harbour: Surfaces exposed to light are covered with short algae while shaded areas have patches of colourful sponges. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand
Intertidal flat rocky reef with growth of various short algae and barnacles. Location: Mahurangi Harbour New Zealand