Key Terms in Oceanography Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the calcium carbonate compensation depth?

The depth at which sediment contains high levels of calcium carbonate.

The deepest part of the ocean.

The depth below which all sediments are siliceous.

The depth at which the rate of accumulation of calcareous sediments equals the rate of dissolution of those sediments. (correct)

What is biogenous sediment?

Sediment of biological origin.

What is calcareous ooze primarily composed of?

Hard remains of organisms containing calcium carbonate.

What is the size of clay sediment particles?

Smaller than 0.004 millimeters in diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What are coccolithophores?

Very small planktonic algae carrying discs of calcium carbonate. Signup and view all the answers

What type of sediment is cosmogenous sediment?

Sediment of extraterrestrial origin. Signup and view all the answers

What are diatoms?

Earth's most abundant single-celled phytoplankton with silica valves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a foraminiferan?

A planktonic amoeba-like animal with a calcareous shell. Signup and view all the answers

What is lithification?

Conversion of sediment into sedimentary rock. Signup and view all the answers

What are microtektites?

Translucent oblong particles of glass. Signup and view all the answers

What is neritic sediment?

Continental shelf sediment consisting primarily of terrigenous material. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nodule in oceanography?

A solid mass of hydrogenous sediment. Signup and view all the answers

What defines ooze in ocean sediment?

Sediment of at least 30% biological origin. Signup and view all the answers

What are pelagic sediments?

Sediments that originate in the slope, rise, and deep-ocean floor. Signup and view all the answers

What is a piston corer?

A seabed-sampling device capable of retrieving sediment samples. Signup and view all the answers

What is a radiolarian?

A usually planktonic amoeba-like animal with a siliceous shell. Signup and view all the answers

What size are sand sediment particles?

Between 0.062 and 2 millimeters in diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What are sediments?

Particles of organic or inorganic matter that accumulate. Signup and view all the answers

What is siliceous ooze composed of?

Hard remains of silica-containing organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the size range of silt particles?

Between 0.004 and 0.062 millimeters in diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What is terrigenous sediment?

Sediment derived from land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a turbidite?

Terrigenous sediment deposited by a turbidity current. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms in Oceanography

Calcium Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD): Depth where accumulation of calcareous sediments balances dissolution; below this, sediments lack calcium carbonate.
Biogenous Sediment: Sediments originating from biological sources, which can include calcareous or siliceous residues from organisms.
Calcareous Ooze: A type of ooze primarily made up of calcium carbonate from the remains of marine organisms.
Clay: The smallest sediment particle, measuring less than 0.004 millimeters in diameter.
Coccolithophore: Tiny planktonic algae that produce calcium carbonate discs, contributing to biogenous sediments.
Cosmogenous Sediment: Sediments that originate from extraterrestrial sources, such as meteorites.
Diatom: Dominant single-celled phytoplankton with silica-based valves; contributes significantly to biogenous sediments.
Foraminiferan: Planktonic, amoeba-like organisms with calcareous shells, playing a role in biogenous sediment formation.
Lithification: Process in which sediments transform into sedimentary rock via pressure or mineral cementation.
Microtektites: Small, glassy particles of cosmic origin found in cosmogenous sediments.
Neritic Sediment: Deposits mainly found on continental shelves, primarily composed of terrigenous (land-derived) materials.
Nodule: A compact mass of hydrogenous sediment, commonly made of manganese or phosphorite.
Ooze: A sediment that consists of at least 30% biological material.
Pelagic Sediment: Sediments found on the ocean floor, from the slope, rise, and deep-sea regions, sourced from oceanic processes.
Piston Corer: Equipment used for seabed sampling that penetrates up to 25 meters of sediment to collect intact samples.
Radiolarian: Planktonic organisms with siliceous shells contributing to biogenous sediment.
Sand: Sediment particles ranging from 0.062 to 2 millimeters in diameter.
Sediment: Accumulated particles of organic or inorganic materials in a loose, unconsolidated state.
Siliceous Ooze: Ooze primarily composed of silica-based remains from organisms.
Silt: Sediment particles with diameters between 0.004 and 0.062 millimeters.
Terrigenous Sediment: Sediments originating from land, transported to oceans by natural processes like wind and water flow.
Turbidite: Sediment deposited by turbidity currents, characterized by alternating layers of coarse and fine materials.

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Description

Test your understanding of essential oceanography terms with this quiz. Learn about different types of sediments, their sources, and the organisms that contribute to them. Challenge yourself to see how well you know the key concepts in marine science.