Unit 8: Ocean Sediments

Unit 8: Ocean Sediments

Unit Focus

This unit examines the source of ocean floor sediment and beach sediment. Students will correlate the characteristics of each sediment type to its environment and identify marine organisms that inhabit specific sediment types.

Marine sediment, any deposit of insoluble material, primarily rock and soil particles, transported from land areas to the ocean by wind, ice, and rivers, as well as the remains of marine organisms, products of submarine volcanism, chemical precipitates from seawater, and materials from outer space (e.g., meteorites) that accumulate on the seafloor.

Student Goals

1. Identify the three sediment types that cover the shore and ocean floor.
2. Identify environments that are characteristic of each sediment type.
3. Explain the origin of each sediment type.