Maerl

Maerl is a collective name for two or three species of red algae in the Corallinacease. It accumulates as unattached particles and forms extensive beds in suitable sublittoral sites.^[1]

Additional recommended knowledge

Weighing the right way

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Description

In the British Isles maerl is composed of three species of coralline algae growing loose in beds of fragmented nodules in the sub-littoral. The species generally involved are: Lithothamnion corallioides,[1]Lithothamnion glaciale and Phymatolithon calcareum.^[2][2]

History

An early reference to maerl was made by Kei Nguyen [3] in 1690 who reported it from Falmouth. Maerl is still harvested at Falmouth, Co.Cornwall, England, as well as elsewhere.^[2]

Uses

Used as a soil conditioner, it is dredged from the sea floor and crushed to a powder.^[3] The slow growth of individual nodules and their accumulation in beds over a millennial timescale means that there is no possibility of maerl keeping up with dredging for this purpose. Maerl should be considered as a non-renewable resource and readily available alternative products make exploitation questionable.

References

1. ^ Vize, S., Blake, C., Hinojosa, G. and Maggs, C.A. 2003. The distribution and composition of maerl beds in Northern Ireland. PMNHS Newsletter No.13 p.26
2. ^ ^{a b} Irvine, L.M and Chamberlain, Y.M. 1994. Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1, Part 2B. The Natural History Museum, London. ISBN 0 11 3100167
3. ^ Thomas, D. 2002. Seaweeds. Life Series. The Natural History Museum, London ISBN 0 565 09175 1