Where do coral reefs form?
Coral reefs have special needs to form. Warm water between 18° to 29° C, but 24° C is optimum. The sun shines most directly year round on areas near the equator. It warms tropical oceans all year. This means that coral reefs usually “grow” in tropical waters. Coral reefs are actually made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) deposited as skeletons by animals related to anemones and jellyfish called stony or reef-building corals. In addition to corals, Coraline algae also produce calcium carbonate. Anytime there is a hard surface for plants and animals to attach to, ocean creatures are abundant. Think of pier pilings or the bottoms of boats that become covered with seaweed and marine animals.
