Panama City Sand 3

More organic rich shelly sand.
Location: Russell Pier, across from Aaron Bessant Park

The darker sands get hotter, burning feet and more. Sea turtles are also affected by the change in sand grain size and color. Silt and fine sand along with the calcium carbonate from the shell material cements the sand making it harder for the turtles to nest and hatchlings to crawl out of the nest.

Sand temperature determines the sex of incubating turtles; the higher temperatures throw off the natural balance of the population. Bay county turtle watchers have found the darker sands shorten the incubation time. What will be the long-term effects on the sea turtle population due to the altering of their nesting grounds?