GO_Marine Sediments Lesson

Is it just me, or does the word SEDIMENT make you think of .... well.... trash? Waste? Leftovers? 

So now we are going to study ocean waste?

Okay, so maybe not waste. Marine sediment is basically the stuff that sits at the bottom of the ocean. It's made up of all kinds of things like sand, mud, rocks, and other particles that fall through the water and, over time, settle on the seafloor. This sediment is really important because it provides a place for all kinds of creatures to live, and it also gives us clues about what the environment was like a long time ago.

On a global scale, the average thickness of ocean sediments stands at approximately 1 kilometer. However, in areas characterized by high accumulation, such as regions adjacent to river mouths with substantial sediment discharge or passive margins near continents that have witnessed millions of years of sediment accumulation, the sediment thickness can exceed a staggering 15 kilometers. 

Conversely, sediments tend to be sparse along divergent plate boundaries where new oceanic crust is forming. In such areas, the crust is too new to facilitate significant sediment accumulation. Additionally, central ocean regions that are distanced from substantial sediment sources also display a scarcity of sediments. 

In the study of marine sediments, classification involves several key factors, with the most common distinctions being based on sediment texture, composition, maturity, and origin. 

Use the interactive below to learn about sediment classification. 

So we know how to classify sediment, but where does it actually come from?

Marine sediments can also be categorized according to their origin, with four primary categories: 

1. 1. Lithogenous Sediments
   2. Biogenous Sediments
   3. Hydrogenous Sediments
   4. Cosmogenous Sediments

I know there are a lot of big words, but don't stress—it will make sense once you learn more!

Use the interactive below to learn about sediment sources. 

The world of marine sediments offers a diverse window into Earth's geological history and processes, from the depths of the ocean floor to the influence of extraterrestrial sources. By studying these sediments, scientists uncover invaluable clues about our planet's past and present, shedding light on the intricate interplay of forces that shape our oceans and the world as we know it. 

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Marine sediments are classified based on factors such as texture, composition, maturity, and origin. Lithogenous, biogenous, hydrogenous, and cosmogenous sediments represent distinct categories, each contributing to the ocean's geological composition in unique ways.

 

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