Ooze and Sediment
·Most of the ocean floor is covered in sediment: small pieces of eroded rock and soil. Specifically, the ocean is covered in ooze, a type of sediment that accumulates over time from fragments of deceased surface organisms. There are 2 types of ooze we should know about:
As a final note, fossils last longer without the presence of air. This among other reasons is why a large portion of the fossil record exists in marine biology. We have a great idea of what ancient sea life is like, but it takes a little bit more (pun coming, be prepared) digging to find out what happened to the dinosaurs and such.
- Calcareous ooze: made up of shell remains (carbonate)
- Siliceous ooze: silica-cell producing organisms formed this, which is more resistant to dissolution than carbonate material
As a final note, fossils last longer without the presence of air. This among other reasons is why a large portion of the fossil record exists in marine biology. We have a great idea of what ancient sea life is like, but it takes a little bit more (pun coming, be prepared) digging to find out what happened to the dinosaurs and such.