Ch. 23. 3 - Ocean-Floor Sediments

How are nodules different from other types of inorganic sediments?

Nodules form from materials in the water, and other types of inorganic sediments come from materials on dry land.

How is ooze different from mud?

Ooze contains biogenic materials.

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 of oxides of manganese, iron, copper, or nickel and that is found in scattered groups on the ocean floor

List 2 differences between calcareous ooze and siliceous ooze.

1 - Calcareous ooze is mostly made of calcium carbonate, and siliceous ooze is mostly made of silicon dioxide. 2 - Calcareous ooze cannot be found below a depth of 5 km, and siliceous ooze can be found at any depth (although it is most common around Antarctica).

A scientist found that a core sample contained volcanic ash and dust. Where did the sediment probably come from? How did it probably get on the ocean floor?

The sediments in the core sample were probably carried to the ocean by the wind. They probably formed during a volcanic eruption.

What do diatoms and radiolarians have in common?

They are both parts of biogenic sediments on the ocean floor.

What are 3 ways that inorganic sediments can travel from land into the ocean?

They can be carried by 1 - river, 2 - wind, 3 - iceberg.

Why are heavier ocean sediments probably more likely to be found close to shore?

They will sink before the water can carry them out very far.

Where are nodules usually found?

on the abyssal plains

What are biogenic sediments?

sediments that were originally produced by living organisms