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bioerosion

bioerosion describes the erosion of hard ocean substrates by living organisms by a number of mechanisms. Bioerosion can be caused by mollusks, polychaete worms, sponges, crustaceans, echinoids, and fish. It can occur on coastlines, on coral reefs, and on ships. Mechanisms of bioerosion include biotic boring, drilling, rasping, and scraping.