Cementation Mechanism between Natural Beachrock and

Anthropogenic Beachrock, Case Study: Okinawa Island,

Japan
Daryono, L. R1,a) Titisari, A. D2,b) Warmada, I. W 3,c) and Kawasaki, S4, d)

Universitas Gadjah Mada, Faculty of Geology Engineering, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Universitas Gadjah Mada, Faculty of Geology Engineering, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
3
Universitas Gadjah Mada, Faculty of Geology Engineering, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
4
Hokkaido University, Faculty of Engineering, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
2

a)

luthfian.daryono@gmail.com
b)
adtitisari@gmail.com
c)
warmada@gmail.com
d)
kawasaki@geo-er.eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Abstract.
Climate change and global warming produce serious problems along coastal area one of which is erosion. The impact
variesthe flooding of coastal cities by saltwater, the annual shifting of shoreline, and the submerging of some islands
due to the erosion. The main factor affecting the coastal erosion is the strength of the wave breaking along the coastline,
which is controlled by the degree of erosion, rainfall, climate, and the speed of the wind. Nevertheless, as the wave
approaches the coastline it loses its energy as the result of the increasing friction against the seabed.
In this study, field investigations and laboratory analysis are performed, both of which are aimed at understanding the
formation mechanism of fresh beachrock in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Afterwards, the difference of solidification
mechanism between artificial beachrock and the natural can be comprehended, upon the assumption that the cement type
and other additional materials determines the strength of the material. Furthermore, the study of beachrock in Okinawa,
Japan, will become a valuable reference for the upcoming researches related to beachrock in Indonesia and countries in
South-East Asia. We investigated occurrences and precipitated of cementation carbonate based on rock materials, then
we applied to make anthropogenic with biocementation microbes as reagent. Microbes that we used is Pararodhobacter
sp. and Oceanic Spherea sp., then measuring pH and also calcium ion consumption that we add daily for nutrient of
bacterias. Anthropogenic beachrock after precipitated calcium ion, will be measuring the strength of rock using needle
penetrating test than compared with natural beachrock. Microcrystalline fibrous formed cementation similar strength
between 4 MPa until 8 MPa, depend duration time and also number colony of bacteria.

INTRODUCTION
In Japan nowadays, geological studies are focused on environmental issues, natural phenomenonerosion,
flood, landslide, etc., and also on sustainable development. One of the major geological environment is beachrock
derived their cement from seawater detailed examination is required to understand the process of cementation in the
marine environment (Barthurst, 1975). Beachrock can be broadly defined as a layered calcarenite cemented with

calcium carbonate and which occurs in one or more bands along the intertidal zone. Cementation is assumed to have
occurred in situ or beneath a thin sediment cover (Milliman, 1974).
The term beachrock refers to cemented coastal sediments, which is essentially the lithified paleo-beach
that has been rapidly cemented through the precipitation of CaCO3 cement (Vousdoukas et al., 2007). Beachrock is
an important feature of many tropical coastlines as it appears to have an anchoring effect for dynamic islands and
provides protection from erosion. Yet, many things about its origin and properties remain unknown or debated
hitherto. Beachrock outcrops may be one of the few physical records of past climate information on low-lying reef
islands but research on their application as an indicator of paleo-environments in the Pacific is underdeveloped
(Vousdoukas et al., 2007).
Beyond the continental shelf the sea floor is covered by pelagic clays. The energy of this environment is
too low to transport larger particles such as sand and gravels from the continent. Instead the source of most detrital
sediment is dust blown by wind off the continents or oceanic islands, this sediment is known as pelagic clay. Along
with pelagic clay the calcareous (CaCO3) and Siliceous (SiO2) skeletal remains of microscopic organisms are also
deposited in the form of oozes.
Limestone and dolostone are the most common carbonate rocks and we now know that dolostone is an
altered form of limestone. In some respect the deposition of limestone is very similar to the deposition of detrital
(clastic) sedimentary rock as it is often formed through the continuous deposition of sand-sized grains and
microcrystalline carbonate muds. Because of this they may also contain sedimentary structures such as crossbedding
and ripple marks. However, unlike clastic sedimentary rocks, carbonates are produced directly within their
environment through chemical precipitation. During this process positively-charged calcium ions bond with
negatively-charged carbonate ions to produce solid crystals of calcium carbonate (calcite) that precipitate out on the
sea floor. This process requires relatively warm shallow water as calcium carbonate dissolves in cold-deep water.
In this study, field investigations and laboratory analysis are performed, both of which are aimed at
understanding the formation mechanism of fresh beachrock in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Okinawa island or we
called Okinawa Island is one of many islands in Japan that famous on limestone and beachrock deposit. Okinawaisland is very special places in Japan because from historical aspect there is old dynasty kingdom inside in Okinawa
Island and right now there is U.S. Army military base in there. From geographic aspect this island is transitional area
between tropical and sub-tropical climate, so coral reef is growing well in this island and also this island is dominant
constructing from limestone that a famous called Ryukyu Limestone. Climate on this island are ideal condition for
ecosystem not only in marine system but also in the island too. Tropical area is a place there is many diversities
almost many species around the world that can be found in this area, include microorganism that only see under
microscopic scale. All of this analysis purposed how to created anthropogenic beackrock for eco-environment
concrete along the bay shoreline.
Analyzing the elemental conduction, mineral, freshwater, and saltwater, Danjo and Kawasaki (2014)
explain the formation mechanism which is focused on cemented beachrock in Okinawa and Ishikawa, Japan. They
argue that, in Okinawa, the evaporation of the seawater and/or the urease activity of microorganism may have
resulted in the precipitation of HMC (High Mg Calcite), leading to the formation of the beachrock.
On another paper, Danjo and Kawasaki (2014) review the characteristics of beachrock around the world
although the data are very limited. It turns that beachrock exists in these countriesTurkey, India, Brazil, Bahama,
South Africa, Japan and Scotland. Since beachrock is a recent calcarenite sediment in the tropical and sub-tropical
country, perhaps in the future more valuable data can be collected in other regions.

METHODOLOGY
1. Field Investigation
From December 18th-21st, 2015, a three-day field investigation was conducted in Okinawa Prefecture. The
main objective was to collect geological data in order to explore the genetic relationship between the beachrock
deposit and rocks along the beachrock distribution e.g calcarenite. The sampling was done by randomly taking some
parts of the rock. Observation area in Okinawa-island divided by three place, Yomitan, Sumuide, and Gimma. Each
location had minimum three samples represented fresh deposit, intermediate (dry-wetting area), and weathered
samples. Total number of samples is 11, 4 samples from Yomitan beach, 3 samples from Sumuide beach, and 4
samples from Gimma beach. Location on Okinawa Island was decribed on figure 1.

FIGURE 1. Research Area Okinawa Island, Japan.

2. Laboratory Works
In order to understand the connection between the fresh beachrock and the human-made anthropogenic
beachrock (artificial beachrock resulted from laboratory experiment), laboratory works were conducted
petrographic analysis, micropaleontology analysis, rock physical properties analysis, and geochemical analysis
(XRD/ XRF, SEM/ EDX, and XT-Scan). Some several analyses conducted in Hokkaido University, Japan and/or
University Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. Such as petrographic analysis and micropaleontology analysis conducted in
University Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. Rock physical properties analysis (Needle Penetration), XRF, SEM/ EDX, XTScan will conduct in Hokkaido University, Japan. Then XRD analysis will conducted both of university then
compared about the result, the scheme is describing on Fig.2.

Pararodhobacter sp

(a)

Oceanic Spherea sp

(b)

FIGURE 2. Antrhopogenic Beachrock Scheme (a) Flowchart Anthropogenic Beachrock Using Microbes Reagent, (b) Scheme of
Bacterias Ureas Activities Precipitated.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Natural Beachrock
We tried to analysis cement materials from natural beachrock along the shoreline in Okinawa, each location
area in Yomitan, Gima, and also Sumuide. From samples of beachrock we investigated cement material under
microscopy and also content of that cementation material using geochemical analysis. Figure 3 describes thin
section of natural beachrock using polarized microscopic, and we used 10x of magnificent.

FIGURE 3. Natural Beachrock Analysis Using Polarized Microscopy, XRD and XRF Analysis.

The thin section under microscope, we identified several matrixes of grain size mostly consisted by calcite,
quartz, and other. Cement type dominant in this natural rock is micritic HMC [(Ca, Mg)CO 3] within sedimentary
particle size 5-20m. XRD and XRF analysis results are describe that cementation process between matrix
sedimentary particles is calcium element (more than 90% from XRF result). XRD from 3 samples of natural
beachrock more dominant calcite better than aragonite, it means the cementation mechanism at the upper marine
vadose environment. Indicated the results is represented HMC area, maybe in supratidal zone until intertidal zone of
vadose.
The aragonite formation is related with the temperature of the solution, for example the higher solution
temperature, the faster aragonite precipitates relative to calcite (Burton and Walter, 1987) and the crystal from the
cement takes is mostly fibrous. Crystal arrangement and fabric is controlled by environment and gravitation. HMC
and aragonite from circum granular rim in meniscus fabric in the vadose environment or symmetrical crusts in the
meteoric environment (Petropoulus, A., et. al., 2016).

2. Anthropogenic Beachrock
The study of anthropogenic beachrock is aimed at understanding the cementation mechanism of sedimentation
on shore line as well as the biological factors working on the rocks. Before the laboratory work is done, the bacteria
agent living on the photic zone of the oceanPararodhobacter sp. and Oceanispherea sp.which help the
solidification process is prepared.
The purpose of this anthropogenic beachrock study is to make beachrock identical with the natural one, so it
could be applied to buildings along the shore whose slabs could be eroded by saltwater. By knowing the precise
organisms helping the cementation of natural beachrocks, cracks on the concrete-slabs of the building could be filled
with the artificial beachrock. For making anthropogenic beachrock, we need prepared agar plate to breeding the
population of bacteria before implemented to cementation process. Bacteria growth really well in topic-subtropic
condition that mean pH and also temperature of their ecology really good and common. Salinity from salt water we

used for precipitated, then mixing into calcium ion solution after bacteria reagent put into coral sand. How to make
anthropogenic beachrock is not easy because we should make sure about bacteria condition, pH, temperature and
also ion solidification solution, if any failure then bacteria is decreasing, we should start again and again until
cemented.
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Case 4
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
Case 8
Case 9

0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M
0.5 M

Pararhodobacter sp

Oceanic Sphereae sp

Mix

14 days/inj
7 days/inj
4 days/inj
14 days/inj
7 days/inj
4 days/inj
14 days/inj
7 days/inj
4 days/inj

CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

90 ml
90 ml
90 ml
90 ml
90 ml
90 ml
45 ml
45 ml
45 ml
45 ml
45 ml
45 ml

FIGURE 4. Differences Cease Anthropogenic Beachrock Experiment in Laboratory Scale.

We tried to make several differences between anthropogenic beachrock solutions, in this case different bacteria
species and also number of amount injection during precipitated on 2 weeks. Then from bacteria cultivated in
ZoBell medium, we were measuring OD600 (Optical Density) from liquid medium to multiply amount number of
bacteria species. After that this species will injected on to stringer volume of sand samples until well precipitated for
2 weeks experiment (Figure 4).

FIGURE 5. Calcium Chloride Composition, OD600 Graphic, pH and Ca Ion Pattern.

Figure 5 described about chemical amount that used for calcium precipitation of anthropogenic beachrock, from
that composition it means 0,5 mol/L (20,000 ppm) of calcium chloride solution that we add every day for bacteria
nutrient. OD600 is represent of population bacteria species inside liquid medium, population of bacteria will be
increasing like an exponential graphic but after maximum pick of bacteria growth it will decreasing by time and then
died. Normally the maximum phase is during 24 hours until 48 hours depend on bacteria species. Graphic pH and

Ca2+ are correlated each other during time so if pH going decreasing by time then the calcium ion inside the samples
increasing in the same time.

FIGURE 6. Anthropogenic Beachrock after 14 Days and Result of UCS Measurement.

After 2 weeks experiment and calcium crystals were precipitated until that sand samples really compacted as a
rocks, then we opened the stringer tube to get the results. Only one sample using Oceanicspherea sp with 1 injection
for 14 days not succeed. Because this species is really weak (shown at OD600 pattern yellow line), so added more
amount is helpful to precipitation process using weak species. To get the strength of rock, we measuring Unconfined
Compressive Strength (UCS) with needle penetrating test (Figure 6). UCS results calculation of anthropogenic
beachrock is strong enough such as natural beachrock. The average of this strength from 4 MPa until 8 MPa, but
some of results shown until 10 MPa depend on the species. Average strength of natural beachrock is 6 MPa until 10
MPa, compared with anthropogenic beachrock in laboratory scale is good to make an eco-environmental concrete in
the shoreline/ bay constructions.

CONCLUSIONS
Beachrock is recent sedimentary rock in the phreaticlow marine vadose environment. Cementations that
develop in vadose zone vary because the chemical microenvironments in the pores change frequently through time.
The precipitation of calcium carbonate in vadose zone area produces Mg-calcite as well as aragonite component,
before forming fibrous calcitemicrocrystalline aragonite cementation (interlocking each other) to be solid
precipitated Low Magnesian Carbonate between the matrixes. Precipitating Calcium Carbonate inside anthropogenic
beachrock using ureas microbiology is more effective for solid cementation. Fibrous crystallization occurs after 2
weeks of solidification experiment, with the strength that is almost similar with natural beachrock. The average UCS
strength is between 4 MPa and 8 MPa. From the mineral diffraction analysis, it is known that calcite is more
dominant than aragonite.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We acknowledge support of the all member laboratory, not only biotechnology laboratory but also mineral
processing laboratory, earth and material laboratory, environmental geology laboratory, and many subject that we
cannot describe contributors one by one. Deeply honor to Prof. Toshifumi Igarashi, Prof. Tsutomu Sato, Prof.
Toyoharu Nawa, and Prof. Naoki Hiroyoshi for laboratory equipment permitted. Especially we thank Hokkaido
University and Universitas Gadjah Mada for this project.

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2.
3.
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5.

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Danjo, T., and Kawasaki, S. 2014. Characteristics of Beachrocks: A Review. Geotech Geology Engineer
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