Factors Controlling the Accumulation of Calcium Carbonate in Deep Sea Sediments

Factors controlling the accumulation of calcium carbonate in deep sea sediments... 

FACTORS CONTROLLING THE ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE IN DEEP SEA SEDIMENTS... 

It should be kept in mind that, in spite of these major variations in the CO2-carbonic acid system, virtually all surface seawater is supersaturated with respect to calcite and aragonite. However, variations in the composition of surface waters can have a major influence on the depth at which deep seawater becomes undersaturated with respect to these minerals. The CO2 content of the water is the primary factor controlling its initial saturation state. The productivity and temperature of surface seawater also play major roles, in determining the types and amounts of biogenic carbonates that are produced. Later it will be shown that there is a definite relation between the saturation state of deep seawater, the rain rate of biogenic material and the accumulation of calcium carbonate in deep sea sediments. 

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