Oolitic aragonite sand

This sand type forms in tropical waters through precipitation, sedimentation, and microbial activity, and is indicative of high energy environments.

The sand starts to form around a nucleus of calcium carbonate, such as a peloid, shell fragment, or foraminifer.

[3] The dissolved calcium carbonate in seawater continues to stick to the cortex and is combined with the high velocity water which creates the smooth, granular shape resulting in the aragonite composed ooid.

[5] Oolitic sand beaches form on the banks of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA including the shorelines of its islands.

[6] Scientists use oolitic aragonite sand to reconstruct the route and speed of past currents and ocean circulation patterns.