In the context of Oceanic floor deposits, oozes refer to:a)Pelagic dep...
Oceanic floor deposits: Oozes
Explanation:
Oceanic floor deposits refer to the accumulation of sediments and materials on the floor of the ocean. These deposits provide valuable information about the geological and biological processes occurring in the ocean and are an important area of study for scientists.
One of the types of oceanic floor deposits is called "oozes." Oozes are pelagic deposits derived from the oceans and are made up of shelly and skeletal remains of marine organisms. These remains include the shells of microscopic organisms such as foraminifera, coccolithophores, and pteropods. Oozes are typically composed of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) skeletons of these organisms.
Characteristics of oozes:
- Oozes are commonly found in the deep ocean basins, particularly in areas where there is high biological productivity.
- They are typically fine-grained, soft, and unconsolidated.
- Oozes can exhibit various colors, ranging from white to pink, red, brown, or green, depending on the composition of the skeletal remains.
- The distribution of oozes is influenced by factors such as water depth, temperature, and nutrient availability.
Formation of oozes:
- Oozes form through the accumulation of the remains of marine organisms on the ocean floor.
- When these organisms die, their remains sink to the bottom of the ocean.
- Over time, these remains accumulate and become buried under layers of other sediments.
- The pressure from the overlying sediments compacts the oozes, causing them to become more consolidated and form sedimentary rocks such as limestone.
Significance of oozes:
- Oozes provide important information about the past and present conditions in the ocean.
- The composition and distribution of oozes can indicate the presence of specific environmental conditions, such as nutrient availability, water temperature, and pH levels.
- Oozes also serve as a record of past climate change and can provide insights into the evolution of marine ecosystems.
In conclusion, oozes are pelagic deposits derived from the oceans and are composed of shelly and skeletal remains of marine organisms. They are important oceanic floor deposits that provide valuable information about the ocean's geological and biological processes.
In the context of Oceanic floor deposits, oozes refer to:a)Pelagic dep...
Oceanic Deposits on the Ocean Floor
- Muds: These are terrigenous deposits as they are derived from land. They are mainly deposited on the continental shelves.
- Oozes: These are pelagic deposits as they are derived from the oceans. They are made of shelly & skeletal remains of marine microorganisms with calcareous or siliceous parts. Oozes have a very fine, flour-like texture which either occurs as accumulated deposits or float as suspension.
- Clays: These occur mainly as red clays in the deeper parts of ocean Basins. They are particularly abundant in the Pacific Ocean. Red clay is believed to be an accumulation of volcanic dust blown out from volcanoes during volcanic eruptions.
- Hence option (a) is the correct answer
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