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OCN 201 Second Reading Discussion Questions

Ocean Sediments

Segar - Chapter 8

1. Why should humans study marine sediments? (p. 170)

8.2 Classification of Sediments

2. List the two criteria most commonly used to classify sediment.

Classification by Grain Size

3. List the five sediment classes shown in fig. 8.1 from the smallest to largest grain size.

4. Define well-sorted sediment and poorly-sorted sediment. (Also see p. 14G and the well-sorted sediment on p. 169)

5. Are most marine sediments well-sorted or poorly-sorted?

Classification by Origin

6. List the four sediment classes based on origin. (Also see fig. 8.1)

7. Define lithogenous sediment and give an example using fig. 8.1. (Also see p. 10G)

8. Define biogenous sediment and give an example using fig. 8.1. (Also see p. 8G)

9. Define hydrogenous sediment and give an example using fig. 8.1. (Also see p. 2G)

8.3 Lithogenous Sediments

10. List the five primary transportation mechanisms that bring lithogenous sediments (also called terrigenous sediments) to the ocean.

11. Give the percentage of lithogenous sediment transported to the ocean by rivers. (Also see fig. 8.2)

Erosion by Glaciers

12. Discuss the ice-rafting process, where glaciers transport poorly-sorted sediment across the continental shelves in high latitudes. (Also see p. 190)

Transport by Winds p. 174

13. Explain the high airborne dust fluxes in the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. (Also see figs. 8.4 and 9.9 on p. 208)

8.4 Biogenous Sediment

14. Explain how life aggregates the hard parts of microscopic organisms and increases the flux rate to the deep-sea floor.

15. Give the two primary chemical compositions for biogenous sediments.

16. Define calcareous sediment. (Also see p. 3G; and figs. 8.6 and 8.7)

17. Define siliceous sediment. (Also see p. 14G; and figs. 8.5 and 8.8)

18. List the three factors that determine the accumulation rate of biogenous sediment.

8.5 Hydrogenous Sediments p. 179

19. Contrast marine hydrogenous sediment deposition rates with those for marine lithogenous and biogenous sediments.

20. List the five primary types of marine hydrogenous sediments.

Hydrothermal Minerals

21. Explain why metal-rich sediments form at MOR hydrothermal vents.

22. Explain a possible connection between hydrothermal vents and manganese nodules formation.

Manganese Nodules p. 180

23. List the valuable trace metals in Mn nodules.

24. Describe the formation of Mn nodules. (Also see fig. 8.11b)

25. Give the growth rate of Mn nodules.

26. Explain why Mn nodules only form in regions with extremely low sedimentation rates. (Also see fig. 8.11c)