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Rare Find: Subtidal Zone of Sombrero Beach Revealed

Explore the rarely exposed subtidal zone at the west end of Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Florida. This area, typically submerged, was uncovered during special conditions in January 2009. Discover the calcified green algae Halimeda and Penicillus coated in mud and rooted in Pleistocene bedrock. Halimeda and Penicillus play vital roles in sediment production, while red mangroves with prop roots thrive nearby. Witness the unique ecosystem of this mud-coated subtidal zone through stunning photos.

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Rare Find: Subtidal Zone of Sombrero Beach Revealed

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  1. Sombrero Beach, Key Vaca (Marathon), Florida Stop 4: Muddy subtidal zone/rarely intertidal

  2. West end of Sombrero Beach • The following photos were taken of an area that is typically subtidal, but was exposed to intertidal conditions during spring tides accompanying the full moon during January of 2009. • The calcified green algae Halimeda and Penicillus are mud-coated and are rooted in a thin veneer of mud which overlies the Pleistocene bedrock. • Halimeda is a prolific producer of sand to gravel sized sediment. • Penicillus produces micrite-sized needles.

  3. Red Mangroves with prop roots

  4. Overview of muddy (usually) subtidal area

  5. Clumps of the green alga Halimeda and isolated green algae Penicillus Penicillus Halimeda

  6. Mud-coated Penicillus and Halimeda Penicillus Halimeda

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