bioerosionn.
/ˌbʌɪəʊᵻˈrəʊʒn/, U.S. /ˌbaɪoʊˌəˈroʊʒən/, /ˌbaɪoʊˌiˈroʊʒən/ Oceanography and Geology.
The removal of material from solid surfaces in the ocean, such as coral or rock, by the action of living organisms.
ΚΠ
1966 A. C. Neumann in Limnol. & Oceanogr. 11 92/2 As a general term, the destruction and removal of consolidated mineral or lithic substrate by the direct action of organisms could be called bioerosion.
1991 R. Goldring Fossils in Field iv. 63 In any study of skeletal material consideration should be given to..how readily fragile skeletons (e.g. fragile corals and calcareous algae) may be attacked by bioerosion and lose their identity.
2006 New Yorker 20 Nov. 72/2 The rate at which reefs add aragonite through calcification and the rate at which they lose it through bioerosion will start to approach each other.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1966