pelagic ooze Deep-ocean sediments that accumulate by the settling out of materials from the overlying ocean waters. The dominant constituents are microscopic pelagic organisms, e.g. the calcareous globigerina and pteropods, and the siliceous diatoms and radiolaria. Minor amounts of fine volcanic, terrigenous, and extraterrestrial debris also contribute to pelagic ooze.

pelagic ooze Deep-ocean sediments that accumulate by the settling out of materials from the overlying ocean waters. The dominant constituents are microscopic pelagic organisms (e.g. the calcareous globigerina and pteropods and the siliceous diatoms and radiolaria). Minor amounts of fine volcanic, terrigenous, and extraterrestrial debris also contribute to pelagic ooze.