Marine sedimentAccumulated material on seafloorDistribution of sediment types on the seafloor Within each colored area, the type of material shown is what dominates, although other materials are also likely to be present.For further information about this diagram see below ↓Marine sediment, or ocean sediment, or seafloor sediment, are deposits of insoluble particles that have accumulated on the seafloor.
Abyssal plainFlat area on the deep ocean floorDiagrammatic cross-section of an oceanic basin, showing the relationship of the abyssal plain to a continental rise and an oceanic trenchDepiction of the abyssal zone in relation to other major oceanic zonesAn abyssal plain is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor, usually found at depths between 3,000 and 6,000 metres (9,800 and 19,700 ft).
Continental shelfA continental shelf is a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water, known as a shelf sea. Much of these shelves were exposed by drops in sea level during glacial periods. The shelf surrounding an island is known as an "insular shelf."
Benthic zoneEcological region at the lowest level of a body of waterThe benthic zone, from Ancient Greek βένθος (bénthos) 'the depths of the ocean', is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water, such as a stream, river, lake, or ocean, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Organisms living in this zone are called benthos or, more informally, bottom dwellers.
OceanBody of salt water covering most of EarthThe ocean is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of Earth. The ocean is conventionally divided into large bodies of water, which are also referred to as oceans (in descending order by area: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Antarctic/Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean), and are themselves mostly divided into seas, gulfs and subsequent bodies of water.
Terrigenous sedimentTerrigenous sediments are derived from the chemical and physical weathering and erosion of continental rocks and consists primarily of mud, sand, and silt that is carried to the ocean by rivers. Their composition is mainly rock fragments and silicate minerals like quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals. Terrigenous sediments are mostly found closest to continents in coastal environments and continental shelves.
HabitatIn ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ecological niche. Thus "habitat" is a species-specific term, fundamentally different from concepts such as environment or vegetation assemblages, for which the term "habitat-type" is more appropriate.
Continental riseThe continental rise is a low-relief zone of accumulated sediments that lies between the continental slope and the abyssal plain. It is a major part of the continental margin, covering around 10% of the ocean floor.
Plate tectonicsPlate tectonics (from Latin, from Ancient Greek (tektonikós)'pertaining to building') is the scientific theory that Earth's lithosphere comprises a number of large tectonic plates, which have been slowly moving since 3–4 billion years ago. The model builds on the concept of continental drift, an idea developed during the first decades of the 20th century.
ClayClay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolinite, Al2Si2O5(OH)4). Most pure clay minerals are white or light-coloured, but natural clays show a variety of colours from impurities, such as a reddish or brownish colour from small amounts of iron oxide. Clays develop plasticity when wet but can be hardened through firing. Clay is the longest-known ceramic raw material.
Continental marginA continental margin is the outer edge of continental crust abutting oceanic crust under coastal waters. The continental margin consists of three different features: the continental rise, the continental slope, and the continental shelf. It is one of the three major zones of the ocean floor, the other two being deep-ocean basins and mid-ocean ridges. Continental margins constitute about 28% of the oceanic area.
Core sampleA core sample is a cylindrical section of (usually) a naturally occurring substance. Most core samples are obtained by drilling with special drills into the substance, such as sediment or rock, with a hollow steel tube, called a core drill. The hole made for the core sample is called the "core hole". A variety of core samplers exist to sample different media under different conditions; there is continuing development in the technology.
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