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Siliceous ooze is a type of deep-sea sediment composed of at least 30 percent skeletal remains of microscopic marine organisms. These organisms' skeletons are made of silica.12

Siliceous oozes form when the rate of deposition of these silica-producing organisms, such as diatoms and radiolarians, exceeds the rate at which their silica dissolves in the deep ocean waters. This type of ooze is found in specific regions, including belts in the North Pacific and Antarctic oceans, and under the eastern part of the North Pacific.12

Unlike calcareous oozes, which are made of calcium carbonate, siliceous oozes are composed of opal, a hydrated form of silica. The distribution of biogenic oozes, including siliceous types, is influenced by the supply of skeletal material, dissolution rates, and dilution by other sediment types.12

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