Whiting event clouds consist of calcium carbonate polymorphs; aragonite tends to be the dominant precipitate, but some studies in oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes show calcite is favored. Whiting events have been observed in tropical and temperate waters, and they can potentially cover hundreds of meters. They tend to occur more often in summer months, as warmer waters promote calcium carbonate precipitation, and in hard waters. Whitings are typically characterized by cloudy, white patches of water, but they can also be tanner in hue in very shallow waters (less than 5m deep). In some cases, the whiting might be cryptic (not visible at the surface), but still generate calcium carbonate. These shallow water whiting events also tend to last less than a day in comparison to deeper water events that can last for several days up to several months. Regardless of the event's lifespan, the clouds it produces increase turbidity and hamper light penetration.