Although clay is widely dispersed in the oceans, in some areas, deep-sea sediments are dominated by clay, while in others they are dominated by carbonate or silica ooze. Why do these differences exist?

In conclusion, the differences in deep-sea sediment distribution, specifically clay, carbonate, and silica ooze, can be attributed to various factors such as sediment sources, biological productivity, depth of the ocean (CCD and lysocline), and water acidity. Terrigenous sediments, like clay, originate from the land, while biogenous sediments, like carbonate and silica ooze, are formed from the remains of marine organisms. The presence of carbonate or silica ooze depends on the productivity of surface waters and their subsequent rate of deposition. Furthermore, the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) determines the dissolution of carbonate, and water acidity affects sediment composition. By considering all these factors, we can understand the distribution of these sediments in different regions of the ocean floor.