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Questions and Answers
Which factor largely dictates the composition of seafloor sediments?
Which factor largely dictates the composition of seafloor sediments?
What is the main reason why shells take years to settle on the seafloor?
What is the main reason why shells take years to settle on the seafloor?
What can redistribute shells in areas where they may not form?
What can redistribute shells in areas where they may not form?
Where would you expect to find very thick sediment deposits?
Where would you expect to find very thick sediment deposits?
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Why do sediments build up over time on passive margins?
Why do sediments build up over time on passive margins?
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Which location is known for having modern day stromatolites?
Which location is known for having modern day stromatolites?
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What conditions are necessary for the formation of siliceous ooze?
What conditions are necessary for the formation of siliceous ooze?
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What is the main factor that determines the calcite compensation depth (CCD)?
What is the main factor that determines the calcite compensation depth (CCD)?
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What type of rock is formed from silica deposits?
What type of rock is formed from silica deposits?
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What happens to shells made of silica in shallow water?
What happens to shells made of silica in shallow water?
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Which organisms primarily make up the biogenous sediments?
Which organisms primarily make up the biogenous sediments?
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What factors contribute to the distribution and development of biogenous sediments?
What factors contribute to the distribution and development of biogenous sediments?
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What is the mineral name for calcium carbonate formed through mineral processes?
What is the mineral name for calcium carbonate formed through mineral processes?
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What percentage of ancient carbonate rocks come from living organisms?
What percentage of ancient carbonate rocks come from living organisms?
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What are madelites?
What are madelites?
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Which type of sediment comes from outer space?
Which type of sediment comes from outer space?
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Where can you find appreciable lithogenous deposits?
Where can you find appreciable lithogenous deposits?
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What is the main reason for the high concentration of diatom ooze at the equator?
What is the main reason for the high concentration of diatom ooze at the equator?
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Which sediment type is formed by the migration of salt deposits?
Which sediment type is formed by the migration of salt deposits?
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What type of sediment is found near the mid-Atlantic ridge and the East Pacific rise?
What type of sediment is found near the mid-Atlantic ridge and the East Pacific rise?
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Which type of marine sediment precipitates directly from seawater?
Which type of marine sediment precipitates directly from seawater?
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What are metal sulfides?
What are metal sulfides?
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What are manganese nodules?
What are manganese nodules?
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What is an example of a sediment that can be used as fertilizer?
What is an example of a sediment that can be used as fertilizer?
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What sediments can be formed through high evaporation?
What sediments can be formed through high evaporation?
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Which part of the ocean is characterized by yellow and warm surface water, but cold and old deep water at greater depths?
Which part of the ocean is characterized by yellow and warm surface water, but cold and old deep water at greater depths?
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What is the lysocline?
What is the lysocline?
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Why does the cold water in the deep ocean become saturated with carbon dioxide?
Why does the cold water in the deep ocean become saturated with carbon dioxide?
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Why is there basically no calcareous ooze below about five thousand meters in the deep ocean?
Why is there basically no calcareous ooze below about five thousand meters in the deep ocean?
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Where are calcium carbonate sediments formed in the ocean?
Where are calcium carbonate sediments formed in the ocean?
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Study Notes
Factors Influencing Seafloor Sediments
- The composition of seafloor sediments is largely dictated by water depth and distance from land.
Sediment Deposition
- Shells take years to settle on the seafloor due to their low density and ocean currents.
- Currents and ocean dynamics can redistribute shells in areas where they may not form naturally.
Thick Sediment Deposits
- Very thick sediment deposits are found in areas with high sediment supply, such as near river mouths or in regions with low ocean currents.
Passive Margins
- Sediments build up over time on passive margins due to the lack of tectonic activity, allowing for continuous deposition.
Modern Stromatolites
- Modern stromatolites are found in Shark Bay, Western Australia.
Siliceous Ooze
- Siliceous ooze forms when the sedimentation rate is high, and the water is rich in silica, typically at depths below 5,000 meters.
Calcite Compensation Depth (CCD)
- The main factor determining the CCD is the calcium carbonate concentration in the ocean water.
Silica Deposits
- Silica deposits form chert, a type of sedimentary rock.
Silica Shells in Shallow Water
- Shells made of silica in shallow water are quickly dissolved and do not settle on the seafloor.
Biogenous Sediments
- Biogenous sediments are primarily composed of the remains of marine organisms, such as foraminifera and coccolithophores.
Biogenous Sediment Distribution
- The distribution and development of biogenous sediments are influenced by factors such as ocean currents, water temperature, and salinity.
Calcium Carbonate Formation
- Calcium carbonate can form through mineral processes, with the mineral name being calcite.
Ancient Carbonate Rocks
- About 95% of ancient carbonate rocks come from living organisms.
Madelites
- Madelites are a type of sediment formed from the remains of Radiolaria, a type of marine organism.
Extraterrestrial Sediments
- Cosmic dust and meteorites are examples of sediments that come from outer space.
Lithogenous Deposits
- Appreciable lithogenous deposits are found in areas with high terrestrial sediment input, such as near river mouths.
Diatom Ooze Distribution
- The high concentration of diatom ooze at the equator is due to the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters.
Salt Deposits
- Sediments formed by the migration of salt deposits are known as evaporites.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge and East Pacific Rise
- Sediments found near the mid-Atlantic ridge and the East Pacific rise are primarily composed of metal-rich sediments.
Chemogenic Sediments
- Chemogenic sediments are formed through chemical precipitation from seawater, such as the formation of manganese nodules.
Metal Sulfides
- Metal sulfides are a type of sediment formed through hydrothermal activity.
Manganese Nodules
- Manganese nodules are small, rounded sediment bodies formed through chemical precipitation on the seafloor.
Sediment Fertilizer
- Guano, a type of sediment formed from bird droppings, can be used as fertilizer.
Evaporite Sediments
- Sediments formed through high evaporation, such as halite and gypsum, are examples of evaporite sediments.
Ocean Characteristics
- The subtropical gyre is characterized by yellow and warm surface water, but cold and old deep water at greater depths.
Lysocline
- The lysocline is the depth below which calcium carbonate dissolves, typically around 3,000-4,000 meters.
Cold Water Saturation
- Cold water in the deep ocean becomes saturated with carbon dioxide due to the low temperatures and high pressures.
Calcareous Ooze Distribution
- Calcareous ooze is rarely found below about 5,000 meters in the deep ocean due to the high solubility of calcium carbonate at these depths.
Calcium Carbonate Sediments
- Calcium carbonate sediments are formed in the ocean through the activities of marine organisms, such as coral reefs and foraminifera.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on marine sediments with this quiz! Learn about the different types of marine sediments, including biogenous, terrigenous, and hydrogenous sediments. Challenge yourself and see how much you know about the development and composition of these sediments.
