Origin and Accumulation of Aluminosilicates in the Ocean

Abstract

The basic assumptions used by B. Kullenberg in his attempt to calculate the probable magnitude of the variations of the rate of accumulation of clay appear unrealistic in the light of present knowledge, and consequently the results are hardly applicable. His assumptions imply that the sizes of the clay particles now observed in samples from the ocean floor have remained essentially unchanged during transport and deposition. Most probably, however, the marine clays represent the end product of precipitation and coarsening processes, the initial particles partly being of ionic and molecular size. Changes in the rate of deposition of aluminosilicates in eupelagic areas are rather determined by physico-chemical properties of sea water than by changes in the influx to the ocean. Such changes are supposed to be practically equalled out in the neritic and hemipelagic environment.