Today I Learned (TIL)

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TIL that up to 70% of the sand on some white sandy beaches was excreted by parrotfish after eating coral (manoa.hawaii.edu)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Scientists estimate that up to 70% of the sand on white sandy beaches in the Caribbean and Hawai‘i has been excreted by parrotfish. A large adult parrotfish can excrete over a ton of sand per year. Areas that have parrotfish produce more sand than similar areas with few or no parrotfish. This sediment production rate is especially important in areas like Hawai‘i, where there is little terrestrial input, and almost all of the sand is of biogenic origin.

https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/physical/coastal-interactions/beaches-and-sand/weird-science-parrotfish-and-sand

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Something something rough and coarse and it gets everywhere.

Guys, I'm burnt out.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

Hopefuly not as burned out as Anakin.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Are you burnt out? Or is that reference?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I am burnt out, not a reference. I saw a story about sand, and felt compelled to go through the motions of bringing up the Anakin meme, and I'm just like, "What am I doing? Why is anything anything? I should be working."

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Sounds like it's time for a much needed break. Do you have some vacation time to clear your head?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I’ve heard the beaches in Hawai’i have very nice sand. Maybe you could visit there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Be sure to have a hotel booked.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

You don’t have to singlehandedly keep the meme alive. Let it rest for a while. I promise, 5 years from now when nobody has said the meme in ages, when you’ve given up on it, there will come a day when it just fits. When it makes the conversation funnier, when the timing is perfect, when it’s the only rational response, you will triumphantly break out the star wars sand meme. It will be so much better because it’s fresh again, it will feel like you just invented the damn thing yourself. You will be so glad you waited, that you let all those other imperfect opportunities pass you by.