What Is Pteropod Ooze

Quick Reference. Deep-sea ooze in which at least 30% of the sediment consists of the shells of planktonic small gastropods (known as pteropods or ‘wing-footed’ snails). The shells are aragonitic and, as aragonite solubility increases rapidly with depth, pteropod ooze is restricted to water depths less than 2500m.

What is diatom ooze?

Diatom 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.

Where is pteropod ooze found?

Consequently, pteropod-rich oozes are only found at depths < 2500 m in the Atlantic Ocean and < 1500 m in the Pacific Ocean.