diatom ooze
Quick Summary
Diatom ooze is a type of deep-sea sediment primarily composed of the microscopic, silica-based skeletal remains of diatoms. Diatoms are a type of algae found in all of Earth's waters, and they are a significant food source for many marine animals.123
Oozes, in general, are soft muds found on the ocean floor, far from land-based sediment sources. They are classified based on the skeletal material they contain: calcareous oozes (made of calcium carbonate) and siliceous oozes (made of silica). Diatom ooze falls into the category of siliceous ooze. These sediments form where the rate of diatom skeletal deposition exceeds the rate at which their silica content dissolves in deep ocean waters. This is why diatom oozes are typically found in specific regions, such as belts in the North Pacific and Antarctic.24
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Atlantic OceanBottom depositsDiatom ooze (formed from microscopic unicellular algae having cell walls consisting of or resembling silica) is the most widespread deposit in the high southern latitudes but, unlike in the Pacific, is missing in northern latitudes. About three-fifths of the bottom itself is covered with mud…
Read MoreDiatom ooze (formed from microscopic unicellular algae having cell walls consisting of or resembling silica) is the most widespread deposit in the high southern latitudes but, unlike in the Pacific, is missing in northern latitudes. About three-fifths of the bottom itself is covered with mud…
Read More
Pacific OceanBottom depositsA belt of diatom ooze occurs between latitudes 45° and 60° S and across the North Pacific, between Japan and Alaska. Calcareous globigerina ooze occurs in the shallower parts of the South Pacific, the dissolving power of the seawater at great depths being sufficient to dissolve calcareous material…
Read MoreA belt of diatom ooze occurs between latitudes 45° and 60° S and across the North Pacific, between Japan and Alaska. Calcareous globigerina ooze occurs in the shallower parts of the South Pacific, the dissolving power of the seawater at great depths being sufficient to dissolve calcareous material…
Read More