Global Patterns of Sediment Distribution

The overall distribution pattern of sediment types in the world s oceans depends on few elementary factors. The most important factor is the relative amount with which one particle species contributes to sediment formation. Particle preservation and eventual dilution with other sediment components will modify the basic pattern. The formation and dispersal of terrigenous constituents derived from weathering processes on the continents, as well as autochthonous oceanic-biogenic constituents, both strongly depend on the prevalent climate conditions, so that, in the oceans, a latitude-dependent and climate-related global pattern of sediment distribution will be the ultimate result. 

The global distribution patterns of kaolinite, chlorite, montmorillonite, and illite in pelagic sediments are listed in Table 14.3 and illustrated in Figures 14.8 through 14.11. 

Global distribution pattern of the TOC content In surface sediments (<5cm depth). Source Redrawn from Seller, K., et al. (2004). Deep-Sea Research I 51, 2001-2026. 

Fig. 12.8 Global distribution pattern of the organic carbon content (TOC) in surface sediments (<5 cm sediment depth) (with permission from Elsevier reprinted from Seiter et al. 2004).

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