These sediments accumulate on the ocean floor within areas characterized by little planktonic production. The clays which comprise them were transported into the deep ocean in suspension, either in the air over the oceans or in surface waters. Both wind and ocean currents transported these sediments in suspension thousands of kilometers from their terrestrial source. As they were transported, the finer clays may have stayed in suspension for a hundred years or more within the water column before they settled to the ocean bottom. The settling of this clay-size sediment occurred primarily by the formation of clay aggregates by flocculation and by their incorporation into fecal pellets by pelagic organisms.
These sediments accumulate on the ocean floor within areas characterized by little planktonic production. The clays which comprise them are transported into the deep ocean in suspension, either in the air over the oceans or in surface waters. Both wind and ocean currents transport these sediments in suspension thousands of kilometers from their terrestrial source. As they are transported, the finer clays may stay in suspension for a hundred years or more within the water column before they settle to the ocean bottom. The settling of this clay-size sediment occurrs primarily by the formation of clay aggregates by flocculation and by their incorporation into fecal pellets by pelagic organisms.
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