GeologyRocks

• Location: Near Great Bird Island, Antigua, Caribbean.
• Date Taken (dd-mm-yy): 14/01/2008

This shows the root system of red mangrove. Mangrove perform fantastic baffling of sediment and as such may greatly alter the sediment facies deposited. In the picture you can see the root system with fine particles of sediment clinging to the finer roots. The sediment is carbonate, dervied from shells and reefal material. Mangroves also protect the coast from erosion, surge storms, especially during hurricanes, and tsunamis. Their massive root system is efficient at dissipating wave energy, creating lower energy environments. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough that its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in and is not re-suspended when the tide leaves, except for fine particles.