What This Document Is
These are lecture notes prepared for the first exam in Introduction to Oceanography (GEOL 211) at James Madison University. The notes cover the classification of marine sediments – terrigenous, biogenous, hydrogenous, and cosmogenous – and detail the major sources and inputs of terrigenous material to the ocean. It also provides data on the amount of sediment contributed by rivers, glaciers, wind, and other sources.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is essential for students enrolled in GEOL 211 preparing for their first exam. Understanding marine sediment sources is foundational to understanding ocean floor topography, nutrient distribution, and marine life habitats. It’s designed to help students review key concepts presented in lectures. This resource is most useful when used *in conjunction with* course lectures and assigned readings.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a condensed set of notes and does not replace the full scope of the lectures or textbook material. It provides an overview but doesn’t delve into the complex processes governing sediment transport, deposition, or the detailed characteristics of each sediment type. It is a review tool, not a comprehensive textbook.
What This Document Provides
The notes include:
* A classification of marine sediments by source (terrigenous, biogenous, hydrogenous, cosmogenous) with examples and percentages of ocean floor coverage.
* Data on major oceanic material inputs, quantified by tons per year, for rivers, glaciers, wind, coastal erosion, volcanic debris, and groundwater.
* Specific examples of rivers contributing significant terrigenous sediment (Yellow/Huang Ho, Ganges, Amazon, Mississippi).
* Discussion of the role of glaciers in sediment transport and deposition.
* Information on the contribution of wind-blown dust and coastal erosion to marine sediments.
This preview *does not* include detailed explanations of sediment composition, specific depositional environments, or the chemical processes involved in hydrogenous sediment formation. It also does not contain practice questions or exam-specific details.