View DetailsOkinawa Prefecture is home to beautiful oceans and abundant natural scenery, making it a popular tourist destination where many people come to enjoy its beauty. It is believed that the beauty of Okinawa’s oceans is the result of a combination of many factors.
Why the Ocean in Okinawa Is So Beautiful
① The Kuroshio Current flowing into Okinawa Prefecture
Because the Kuroshio Current, which contains very little plankton, flows into the area, the seawater stays clear and doesn't get murky!
First,The waters off Okinawa are influenced by ocean currents.These are some examples. Okinawa flows from north to southThe warm Kuroshio Current (also known as the Japan Current) flows in.. The Kuroshio Current is nutrient-poor, soAnother characteristic is that there is little planktonThat's right. Since the Kuroshio Current flows so fast,The seawater is clear and doesn't get cloudy easily.. This is a major factor in why the waters off Okinawa are so incredibly clear. Ocean currents from the South China Sea also flow into these waters. The nutrients carried by these currents support the abundance of marine life and nurture beautiful coral reefs.
② The seabed off Okinawa is shallow
Because the water is shallow, the light reflects off the white sand, creating beautiful colors!
As you can see from photos and videos related to Okinawa,The waters off Okinawa are relatively shallow,...The fact that the seafloor is covered in white sand is also part of its beauty.The white sand reflects sunlightand,It makes the color of the seawater appear more vivid.. Also,Sand is home to many microorganisms.and theseMicroorganisms produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which improves the clarity of the water.。
③ “Coral”: The Key Player in Okinawa’s Oceans
Coral makes a huge contribution to the oceans of Okinawa!
Okinawa is one of the regions on Earth closest to the tropics and enjoys a warm climate year-round.It is precisely because of this warm climate that coral thrives here.is what makes the Okinawan ocean so beautifulAn Indispensable PresenceThat's it.
Coral absorbs carbon dioxide from the ocean and performs photosynthesis within its body,、Minerals are released into the water along with oxygenThis triggers a purification process, which helps keep the seawater clean.
Coral bodies are mainly composed of calcium carbonate. After they die, they create the beautiful blue color of Okinawa’s ocean.The limestone crumbled into white sand,, reached the seafloorIt reflects sunlight to create an emerald green color.。
Incidentally, there are about 800 species of coral in the world. Of these, about 200 species—representing 25%—have been confirmed in Okinawa.
[speech_balloon_left2 user_image_url="https://okibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sono.png" user_name="Son-chan"]I'm so grateful to Sango-sama. Be careful not to touch it too hard![/speech_balloon_left2]④ Typhoons Are a Blessing for Coral Reefs
Sometimes, typhoons can become superheroes that protect the seas around Okinawa!
While typhoons aren't good for people, sometimes theirThe typhoon isTo Protect the Seas of OkinawaSuperheroThat's it!
As seawater temperatures rise, coral is more likely to bleach. However, typhoons can also provide an opportunity for natural recovery.A typhoon of moderate intensity stirs up the seawater, lowering its temperature, and thick clouds block the strong sunlight.. This helps alleviate the stress the coral is experiencing, andIt is possible to suppress bleachingThat's it.
However,The powerful typhoon is...strong winds and waves damage the coral, and sediment and pesticides washed into the ocean by heavy rains reduce water clarity, orThis can lead to a deterioration of the coral's living environment.。
⑤ Okinawa’s white sandy beaches were made possible by the Irabuchā and sea cucumbers.
Okinawa's fine, white sandy beaches are created by marine life!
A fish called the parrotfish (known as "Irabuchā" in Okinawa) is...has strong, hard teeth.Eats algae attached to coralHowever, it’s powerful enough to crush even coral. After eating,Excretes undigested, crushed coral as fecesThat's right. Apparently, just one of them produces hundreds of kilograms of white sand each year!
They are commonly found in shallow watersSea cucumbers are the "cleaners" that create white sandy beaches.That's right. The sea cucumber was stuck in the sand.To eat organic matter, they eat the sand along with it....The end result is clean, fine sand!
[speech_balloon_left2 user_image_url="https://okibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sono.png" user_name="Son-chan"]I heard that if you put a sea cucumber in a saltwater tank, it keeps the tank clean! [/speech_balloon_left2]Furthermore, during the digestive process, sea cucumbers,Releases calcium carbonate, which is essential for coral skeletonsIt does. Sea cucumber waste affects the surroundingIncrease the alkalinity of seawater...and has a negative impact on coralMitigating the acidification of seawaterIt is believed to be effective. And that’s how large corals grow in the waters off Okinawa!
Summary
Did that explain why Okinawa’s ocean is said to be so beautiful? The mechanism is as follows: the Kuroshio Current, which contains little plankton, ensures high water clarity; coral, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers keep the ocean and sandy beaches clean; and because the seabed is shallow, sunlight makes the ocean appear blue.
Of course, one reason for this is that many people are actively working to protect our beautiful oceans and contribute to environmental conservation. Unfortunately, I’ve seen both Okinawan residents and tourists litter. Let’s keep doing the little things we can to prevent trash from ending up in the ocean. And with that in mind, please enjoy your trip to Okinawa to the fullest!
[speech_balloon_left1 user_image_url=”https://okibracom.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sono.png” user_name=”Son-chan”]Never litter! You’ll get what’s coming to you someday![/speech_balloon_left1]
