Reef

In nautical parlance, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature beneath the surface of the water, but shallow enough to be a hazard to ships (see also shoal). Many reefs result from abiotic processes—deposition of sand, wave erosion planning down rock outcrops, and other natural processes—but the best-known reefs are those of tropical waters developed through biotic processes dominated by corals and calcareous algae.

Related Topics:
Rock - Sandbar - Ship - ''shoal'' - Abiotic - Tropical - Biotic - Coral - Alga

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Although "reefs" can be created artificially either by special construction or through deliberately sinking ships, these are not really reefs, as it is seldom the case that an artificial obstruction would be created that is a hazard to shipping. These are structures created to enhance physical complexity on generally featureless sand bottoms in order to attract a diverse assemblage of organsims, especially fishes. Thus, "artificial reef" is a misnomer.

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