limpet
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Biological weathering is an important form of rock breakdown on rocky coasts. Many organisms, such as barnacles and limpets, secrete organic acids that help to dissolve the rock. This is especially important in rock pools, where there is only a small amount of water. This means that the water can become quite acidic and break down the rock. It most commonly affects limestone and chalk, although it is also important for its effects on granite.
Any of various marine snails belonging to several families and genera, found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A limpet has a conical shell and adheres firmly to rocks by its disclike foot. Limpets leave their fixed positions only to graze on seaweeds, always returning to the same spot. The common limpet (P. vulgata) can be seen on rocks at low tide (especially genera Acmaea and Patella).
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