What is Oolitic Aragonite?
Oolitic Aragonite: Nature’s Renewable Sand from the Ocean
Beneath the gin clear waters of The Bahamian banks lies a unique mineral that looks much like sand but is unlike the sands on the beaches of Florida or California. This unique mineral is called Oolitic Aragonite. It is a distinct type of Calcium Carbonate and while it has the same chemical make-up, it looks different under a microscope providing it some irreplaceable advantages. Most calcium carbonates look like building blocks under a microscope, however, oolitic aragonite looks like lots of interlaced needles. This affords aragonite many advantages, such as a higher surface area. The average person interacts with calcium carbonate daily as it is extremely versatile and as such, is used in many different applications. It is found in your toothpaste, your antacids, as a filler in many of your plastic products, your morning orange juice, your morning newspaper, the carpet under your feet, and even in the car that you drive to work. However, the calcium carbonate used in these applications is sourced from non-renewable resources: mines all over the USA, ranging from Florida to Idaho. This type of calcium carbonate mining is energy intensive, has a large carbon footprint, and is not sustainable. However, there is an alternative that is environmentally responsible: oolitic aragonite. Oolitic aragonite naturally pulls carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its formation and is a renewable resource.
Oolitic aragonite is biogenic meaning that it is produced by living organisms. It naturally forms during events called ‘whitings.’ Whitings can be seen in satellite imagery as wispy white clouds in the water. At first, researchers believed these to be caused by schooling fish disturbing the sandy bottom. However, it was found to be an event where oolitic aragonite forms. Blooms of phytoplankton (microscopic plant organisms) seasonally move over the shallow banks of The Bahamas. As the phytoplankton convert the sun’s rays into energy, carbon dioxide is pulled from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide then binds to the calcium in the water, creating a calcium carbonate known as oolitic aragonite. The white clouds in the water are actually oolitic aragonite forming. Oolitic aragonite is one of the world’s only biogenic and naturally precipitated calcium carbonates and happens extensively in The Bahamas. These whitings events happen bi-annually, constantly replenishing the oolitic aragonite deposits. The oolitic aragonite reserves on The Bahamas banks are estimated to contain 50 to 100 billion metric tons. The estimated annual renewal rate is 14 to 120 million metric tons per year. Carbon dating, a common method for determining the age of something, showed that much of the material is new, having been created in the past 3 to 5 years. Oolitic aragonite is truly a renewable resource.
Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on environmentally responsible alternatives. Oolitic aragonite is biogenic, renewable, and sustainable. Ethically and sustainably harvested, oolitic aragonite provides an environmentally responsible alternative to other calcium carbonates. There are some key markets that oolitic aragonite is a great contender in ranging from aquarium sand to agriculture. Consumers and companies alike should be aware of their options so that they can make the responsible decision.
Aquarium
Oolitic aragonite is a perfect substrate for marine and cichlid aquariums because it naturally buffers the pH. Unfortunately, many brands in the aquarium market claim to be aragonite but are actually just crushed limestone from the land-based mines. There are also some brands that do not have the correct approvals to harvest aragonite, meaning your tank may have illegally harvested substrate in it. Always double check your aragonite and its source. Ask companies where they source their aragonite. You’re missing out on the many benefits of aragonite by purchasing limestone that is falsely labeled, shorting yourself and shorting the environment.
Play Sand
Oolitic aragonite is also a great eco-friendly option for play sand. Many play sand brands currently on the market are sourced from silica based sands. Silica exposure has been linked to silicosis, a dangerous respiratory disease. Play sand should be safe for children to play in and unfortunately, most standard sands on the market are unsafe. Oolitic aragonite is silica free, quartz free, and dust free. It is also smooth and round in structure, whereas other sands are rough in texture. It’s perfect for building sandcastles and can safely be used both indoors and outdoors. When sourcing play sand for your children, it is important to consider not only their safety, but also the texture and quality of the sand. Oolitic aragonite is the perfect alternative to standard sands. If used outdoors, it can also help your garden.
Agriculture
Agriculture is another area where oolitic aragonite shines as a superior environmentally friendly alternative. It is a great soil enhancement and chicken feed additive. Oolitic aragonite contains approximately 40% elemental calcium and beneficial amino acids, providing much needed calcium in an efficient bio-deliverable means to both plants and egg-laying hens. It also holds nutrients in the soil where they belong, preventing leaching into the environment. It’s also easy to add to your garden or spread on your crops.
Plastics
In ground and coated form, oolitic aragonite can be used as fillers for plastics. This represents another great opportunity to help the environment through reduction of carbon footprint by reducing the amount of hydrocarbon based plastics consumed. In compostable bioplastic products the oolitic aragonite, with its high PH buffer, may act as a neutralizing agent to acidic polymers such as PLA and its base form of lactic acid when material degrades. Its unique crystalline shape will enhance physical properties such as stiffness, impact, and heat distortion temperatures. Studies are also being done as to the effectiveness as a nucleating agent when compared to talc as its unique shape offers plenty of nucleating sites as compared to the spherical shape of mined calcium carbonate. In plastics applications use of this mineral may not only reduce your compound or plastics costs, but you may also get many additional added benefits such as those just described, all while contributing to your sustainability initiatives.
These are just a handful of the applications in which oolitic aragonite can be used as an environmentally responsible alternative. This blog will be the place to read more about all the different applications oolitic aragonite can be used in. The next time you are out shopping for your fish tank, your children, or your garden, ask questions and make sure you are purchasing real oolitic aragonite from a reputable source.