Which type of sediment is characterized by particles originating from land?

Which type of sediment is characterized by particles originating from land?

• A. Pelagic
• B. Biogenic
• C. Terrigenous
• D. Hydrogenous

Answer: (C)

The type of sediment characterized by particles originating from land is terrigenous sediment. This sediment comes from the weathering and erosion of rocks and soil on continents and islands, and is transported to the ocean by rivers, wind, glaciers, and gravity. Once these materials reach the ocean, they accumulate on the ocean floor. Terrigenous sediments typically contain a mixture of sand, silt, clay, and larger particles that have eroded from terrestrial environments. In contrast, pelagic sediments generally originate from the accumulation of materials from the ocean itself or from marine organisms. Biogenic sediments originate from the remains of marine organisms, such as shells and skeletons, often found in areas with significant biological productivity. Hydrogenous sediments are formed directly from the precipitation of minerals from seawater. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in studying ocean floor sediments and their relationships to terrestrial processes and climatic changes.

The type of sediment characterized by particles originating from land is terrigenous sediment. This sediment comes from the weathering and erosion of rocks and soil on continents and islands, and is transported to the ocean by rivers, wind, glaciers, and gravity. Once these materials reach the ocean, they accumulate on the ocean floor. Terrigenous sediments typically contain a mixture of sand, silt, clay, and larger particles that have eroded from terrestrial environments.

In contrast, pelagic sediments generally originate from the accumulation of materials from the ocean itself or from marine organisms. Biogenic sediments originate from the remains of marine organisms, such as shells and skeletons, often found in areas with significant biological productivity. Hydrogenous sediments are formed directly from the precipitation of minerals from seawater. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in studying ocean floor sediments and their relationships to terrestrial processes and climatic changes.