Outer Banks Overrun With Seashells Due To Lack Of Tourists

[JimGinPA]

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/outer-banks-obx-seashells-sea-shell-stay-at-home-order-beach/83-3efb9d34-5b53-41b9-b591-e6691ce056c2?fbclid=IwAR0KfmktUVzR239jw8n2cJ1az8JwG__fNKHtRlt3B9IFRIVL4gBZu6lL4vk

The coronavirus pandemic is leaving its mark on North Carolina's beaches.

HARKERS ISLAND, N.C. — From crystal clear waters in Venice to decreased pollution in places like New York, the worldwide quarantine is leaving its mark around the world.

Here in North Carolina, some of our Outer Banks beaches look like this.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=261960044841942


That's a post from Cape Lookout's official Facebook account. They're completely overrun with seashells right now.

The tons of shells are there for a simple reason. There are no tourists to come pick them up.

According to the Charlotte Observer, the park facilities are closed right now. But residents are still allowed to visit Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras' seashore.

But tourists pick up so many seashells that the shores will look like that for the foreseeable future.

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Interesting. I wonder if the carbon intake has increased, ocean-wise? If critters are taking in ..

so much carbon, etc. to make their shells, what other minerals, etc. are being scrubbed from the atmosphere, to be used by other critters (non-human)?

[Crunchy Frog]

3. They're not making more shells. They're just accumulating because they're not being collected.

[Blues Heron]

4. Carbon uptake by seawater hurts shell formation by forming carbonic acid

What your seeing is despite increased CO2 uptake

[honest.abe]

2. Fascinating.

My mother loved seashells and would always pick up a few whenever we went to the beach. Amazing the collective effect of thousands of tourists can have.

[SheltieLover]

5. Speaks volumes

[uncle ray]

6. i'm calling BS.

i doubt tourists were picking up Hefty sacks full of shells.

[msongs]

7. yeah but everything on facebook is true. same with twitter right nt

[JimGinPA]

8. The Source Is The Local NBC Station...

In St. Louis. They linked the video from Cape Lookout's official Facebook account, so it's not like this was just some random FB post.