Sea wax, according to the University of Florida, is primarily paraffin wax, also known as petroleum wax.
This substance is not a naturally occurring marine product in the biological sense. Instead, it is derived from land-based sources and ends up in the marine environment.
Understanding Sea Wax
- Composition: The University of Florida specifies that sea wax is fundamentally paraffin wax, a type of petroleum wax.
- Origin: It occurs naturally in crude oil.
- How it reaches the sea: According to UF, it often washes out from the tanks of cargo ships that have been transporting paraffin or similar substances.
When found on beaches or in the water, it typically appears as waxy lumps or deposits. While not inherently toxic in small amounts, large deposits can pose a cleanup challenge and potentially impact marine life or coastlines.
Understanding the composition and origin helps clarify that "sea wax" is essentially spilled or discharged petroleum wax found in the marine ecosystem.
