19.3 - Ocean Floor Sediments

Core Sample

A cylindrical piece of sediment, rock, soil, snow, or ice that is collected by drilling

Nodule

A lump of minerals that is made up of oxides of manganese, iron, copper, or nickel and that is found in scattered groups on the floor

Ooze

A soft fine organic sediment covering 40 percent of the ocean floor

Calcareous Ooze

A type of ooze that is mostly calcium carbonate found only at a depth above 5 km

Siliceous Ooze

A type of ooze that is mostly silicon dioxide, which comes from radiolaria and diatoms and can be found at any depth

Mud

Fine particles silt and clay sized particles of rock combined with water

Foraminifera

Tiny marine organisms that have "shells" of calcium carbonate