SSediment and Soils Final
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145 Terms
Framework grains
Large grains found in sedimentary rocks.
Matrix
Fine grains found in sedimentary rocks that surround framework grains.
Pore space
The void space between grains in a sedimentary rock.
Cement
Secondary mineral growth between grains that binds the rock together.
Clastic
Sedimentary rock made of eroded grains.
Clast
A grain or fragment in clastic sedimentary rocks.
Detritus
Material derived from bedrock; product of weathering (quartz and feldspar).
Lithic fragments
Sand-sized pieces of rock.
Authigenic grains
Grains that precipitate in place within a sedimentary rock (evaporites).
Non-clastic
A type of non-clastic sedimentary rock, such as carbonate rock.
Skeletal
Hard parts of invertebrates found in sedimentary rocks.
Ooids
Spherical grains, less than 2mm in size.
Peloids
Round, elongated grains, less than 1mm in size, consisting of mud.
Intraclasts
Lithified carbonate material that has been broken up and redeposited.
Shear stress
The force that influences the velocity and size of sediments that can be moved.
Bedload transportation
Transportation of sediment by rolling on the bed.
Saltation transportation
Transportation of sediment by jumping on the bed.
Suspension transportation
Transportation of sediment in which grains remain suspended and never touch the bed.
Plane beds
Planar lamination in sedimentary structures.
2D ripples
Tabular, tangential cross-lamination is a sedimentary structure.
2D dunes
Tabular, tangential cross-stratification is a sedimentary structure.
3D ripples
Trough cross-lamination is a sedimentary structure.
3D dunes
Trough cross-stratification is a sedimentary structure.
Scour marks
Erosional feature caused by turbulence.
Tool marks
Erosional feature caused by objects.
Depositional structures
Depositional features like mud cracks and load casts.
Biogenic structures
Trace fossils or stromatolites are biological structures.
Diagenesis
The group of processes that change the characteristics of a rock after deposition.
Facies
Distinct set of features produced by a depositional environment.
Depositional environment
Places characterized by a distinct set of features in a deposit.
Walther's Law
Any facies that occur in vertical association must have formed in laterally adjacent depositional environments.
Lateral accretion
Surface perpendicular to cross beds.
Lithostratigraphy
The study of the lithological characteristics of strata and their layering.
Superposition
Layers are deposited oldest at the bottom and newer on top.
Original horizontality
Sedimentary strata are deposited horizontally.
Lateral continuity
Layers can be determined to be originally laterally continuous.
Cross cutting
Features that cut through are younger than the layers they cut through.
Included fragment
Must be older than the rocks they occur in.
Unconformities
Mark a gap in the time frame.
Formation
Fundamental unit in geology used to map.
Time Scale Hierarchy
Eons-eras-periods-epochs (Geological Time Scale)
Paleozoic
539-252Ma
Mesozoic
252-66Ma
Cenozoic
66-0Ma
Lateral accretion involves sediment deposition, channel migration, and bank erosion, contributing to the formation of new landforms and habitats adjacent to water bodies.
The sedimentary deposits of lateral accretion are typically composed of sands, silts, and clays that are accumulated as a result of channel migration and bank erosion in river systems.
Vertical accretion involves the accumulation of sediments in a floodplain through deposition during overbank flows, which gradually raises the elevation of the land surface.
The sedimentary deposits of vertical accretion are comprised mainly of finer sediments such as silts and clays, which are deposited during flooding events, enhancing soil fertility and elevation in floodplains.
is a process where a river or stream develops sinuous curves or bends over time due to the erosion of the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks.
refers to the processes by which a river meander is formed, altered, or abandoned, resulting in changes to the river's flow path and structure.
are the distinct zones of a delta, each characterized by different sedimentary features and processes. Delta tops consist of the sediment deposited closest to the river mouth, while delta fronts are the area where the river meets the body of water. Delta slopes transition between these areas, and prodelta refers to deeper offshore deposits beyond the delta front.
The dominant processes in each subenvironment include sediment deposition in the delta top, active sediment accumulation in the delta front, slope stability and fine sediment settling in the delta slope, and deeper water sedimentation in the prodelta.
The sedimentological characteristics of these subenvironments include variations in grain size, sediment composition, and depositional processes, influenced by factors such as water energy and proximity to the river source.
Marine environments are categorized based on their position to the normal and storm wave base, where the normal wave base defines the depth at which significant wave activity occurs under typical conditions, while the storm wave base refers to the greater depth impacted by extreme wave events, influencing sediment dynamics and ecosystem characteristics.
Foreshore
the area between high and low tide, the shoreface is where waves actively erode and deposit sediment, the offshore transition is the zone where wave influence diminishes, and the offshore refers to deeper water beyond the reach of normal waves.
shoreface
the area where waves actively erode and deposit sediment, located between the foreshore and offshore.
offshore transition
the zone where wave influence diminishes, marking the boundary between the energetic coastal environment and deeper water beyond.
offshore
the deeper water beyond the reach of normal waves, where wave influence is minimal.
What are the general trends in water depth, energy, lithology?
In general, water depth increases and wave energy decreases as one moves offshore, often accompanied by changes in lithology from coarse sediments in shallow waters to finer sediments in deeper areas.
are the physical forces generated by ocean waves that shape coastal environments, including erosion, sediment transport, and deposition.
of water particles in waves.
These are coastal processes that occur parallel to the shoreline, where water movement transports sediments along the coast due to wave action, often resulting in the gradual shifting of sediment.
Sediment is transported and distributed along the shoreline through the actions of waves and longshore currents, which move sediment parallel to the coast, resulting in erosion and deposition that shape coastal landforms.
are all components of a beach system that influence sediment transport and ecosystem dynamics.
The dominant processes include wave action, sediment deposition, and erosion, influencing the shape and composition of these coastal features.
Beach facies are characterized by distinct sediment types, layering, and coastal features resulting from varying energy levels and processes such as wave action, tides, and currents.
are coastal landforms created by the accumulation of sediments that extend from the mainland into open water. They help protect shorelines and create sheltered areas behind them.
Spits and barrier islands form through the accumulation of sand and sediment deposited by longshore drift, creating elongated landforms. They dissipate coastal energy by acting as barriers to wave action, reducing the impact on the shore behind them.
The dominant processes in lagoons include sedimentation, water circulation, and biological activity, which together influence the development of ecological habitats.
Lagoons are typically shallower, more enclosed bodies of water separated from the ocean by barrier islands or spits, while estuaries are areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the sea.
in lagoons include sediment deposition, wave action, and circulation patterns driven by tides and wind.
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans, leading to regular rising and falling of water levels, typically occurring twice daily.
Spring tides occur during full and new moons when the gravitational pull of the moon and sun align, resulting in the highest and lowest tides, while neap tides occur during the first and third quarters of the moon when the gravitational forces are perpendicular, leading to lower high tides and higher low tides.
The ebb-flood tidal cycle refers to the alternating phases of tidal rise (flood) and fall (ebb) caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun. This cycle dictates the timing and intensity of high and low tides in coastal regions.
Tidal range refers to the difference between high tide and low tide levels, while tidal regimes describe the patterns and characteristics of tides in a specific location.
categories of tidal ranges that define the extent of tidal fluctuations in coastal areas, with microtidal indicating small ranges, mesotidal indicating moderate ranges, and macrotidal indicating large ranges.
The tidal regime significantly affects coastal systems and morphology by influencing sediment transport, erosion, and deposition processes. Variations in tidal range and timing alter habitats, shape shorelines, and can impact vegetation and wildlife.
Subtidal refers to areas below the low tide line, intertidal describes the zone between high and low tide, and supratidal pertains to areas above the high tide line that are influenced by tides but are rarely submerged.
Tidal channels are waterways that are influenced by the tides, providing access to estuarine and coastal areas. Tidal flats, including sand flats, mixed flats, and mud flats, are areas of the shore that are exposed at low tide, supporting diverse ecosystems. Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are periodically flooded by tidal waters, characterized by salt-tolerant plants.
Tidal environments form through the interaction of tidal forces with geological features, leading to the creation of distinct zones such as tidal channels, tidal flats, and salt marshes, shaped by sediment deposition and erosion during tidal cycles.
sediments accumulated through tidal actions that can shape various coastal landforms.
are sedimentary structures associated with tidal environments that reflect varying energy conditions during tidal cycles.
are all types of sedimentary structures commonly found in tidal environments, characterized by alternating layers of sand and mud.
A type of bedding characterized by more mud than sand, typically resulting in a specific sedimentary structure.
are depositional models that describe the characteristics and arrangements of sedimentary structures in tidal environments, emphasizing the interaction between tidal currents and sediment supply.
Estuaries are coastal areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating unique ecosystems characterized by brackish water.
Regions of an estuary characterized by varying salinity, habitat types, and ecological functions where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
These are the three main regions of an estuary, each defined by different salinity levels and ecological characteristics.
These zones represent gradients of salinity and habitat, influenced by tidal actions and river flows, affecting species composition and ecological dynamics.
Estuaries are influenced by tidal regimes as they dictate the flow of saltwater and freshwater, impacting sediment deposition and nutrient cycling.
the disturbance of sediments by organisms, which can enhance nutrient cycling and modify sediment structure.
Bioturbation affects sedimentary layers by altering their physical structure and composition, promoting nutrient availability and influencing the distribution of microbial communities.
fossilized traces left by organism activity in sediment, providing insights into past environments and behaviors.
are known as ichnofossils, which are fossilized traces left by organisms.
that provide evidence of how organisms interacted with their environment.
groups of ichnofossils that reflect specific environmental conditions and behaviors of organisms in the sediment.
An ichnofacies is a suite of ichnofossils that represent specific behaviors and environmental conditions in sedimentary deposits, reflecting organismal activity and environmental settings.
and other environmental variables that influence the types and distributions of ichnofacies and ichnofossils.
elements that provide nourishment and are essential for plant and organism growth.
Trace assemblage varies with water depth and environment due to changing physical and chemical conditions, influencing the types of organisms present and their activities, which are reflected in the ichnofossils found.