Unit 2: Lesson 3: Seafloor Sediments Assessment Questions

Would you expect to find more evaporites in an area of warm water that receives large amounts of sunlight such as the Red Sea or in an area of cold water that receives less sunlight such as the Greenland Sea?

area of warm water with lots of sunlight because these conditions are more favorable for evaporation

Compare and contrast calcareous ooze and siliceous ooze.

Calcareous ooze and siliceous ooze both have the consistency of thick mud and are examples of biogenous sediments. Calcareous ooze is formed from the calcium carbonate tests, or hard parts, of organisms. Siliceous ooze is formed from the siliceous tests of organisms.

What does terrigenous sediment consist of?

mineral grains weathered from continental rocks

How is hydrogenous sediment formed?

minerals crystallize directly from the water through chemical reactions

What is the composition of biogenous sediment?

shells and skeletons of marine animals and algae

What are the three types of ocean floor sediments?

terrigenous, biogenous, and hydrogenous