Author Question: List and describe the three basic types of seafloor sediments. Give at least one example of each. ... (Read 56 times)

clippers!

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 828
List and describe the three basic types of seafloor sediments. Give at least one example of each.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why are seafloor sediments useful in studying past climates?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



frankwu0507

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 322
Answer to Question 1

Terrigenous derived from land sediment consists primarily of mineral grains that were weathered from continental rocks and transported to the ocean, such as example, the abyssal clay layer that forms in the deep ocean. Biogenous derived from organisms sediment consists of shells and skeletons of marine animals and algae; the most common biogenous sediment is calcareous ooze. Hydrogenous derived from water sediment consists of minerals that crystallize directly from seawater through various chemical reactions, such as manganese nodules, which are rounded, hard lumps of manganese, iron, and other metals that precipitate in concentric layers around a central object.

Answer to Question 2

Most seafloor sediments contain the remains of organisms that once lived near the sea surface. When such near-surface organisms die, their shells slowly settle to the floor of the ocean, where they become part of the sedimentary record. These seafloor sediments are useful recorders of worldwide climate change because the numbers and types of organisms living near the sea surface change with the climate. One notable example of the importance of seafloor sediments to our understanding of climate change relates to unraveling the fluctuating atmospheric conditions of the Ice Age.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The liver is the only organ that has the ability to regenerate itself after certain types of damage. As much as 25% of the liver can be removed, and it will still regenerate back to its original shape and size. However, the liver cannot regenerate after severe damage caused by alcohol.

Did you know?

Asthma cases in Americans are about 75% higher today than they were in 1980.

Did you know?

Immunoglobulin injections may give short-term protection against, or reduce severity of certain diseases. They help people who have an inherited problem making their own antibodies, or those who are having certain types of cancer treatments.

Did you know?

The modern decimal position system was the invention of the Hindus (around 800 AD), involving the placing of numerals to indicate their value (units, tens, hundreds, and so on).

Did you know?

Always store hazardous household chemicals in their original containers out of reach of children. These include bleach, paint, strippers and products containing turpentine, garden chemicals, oven cleaners, fondue fuels, nail polish, and nail polish remover.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library