Marine Sediments
Sediments are broken bits of rock. They can be many different shapes, sizes, compositions and can be found in many different types of environments. In fact, all of these variations are unique to specific depositional environments.
Marine sediments are particles entering the ocean. They accumulate rapidly on continental margin (neritic) and slowly in the deep ocean (pelagic). They also reflect ocean history as there is little erosion in the ocean, so sediments are preserved as opposed to being eroded away.
Marine sediments are classified a bit differently than terrestrial sediments.
Classification of marine sediments
- Particle size
- Source of material
- Chemical or mineral composition
- Place of deposition (Depositional environment)