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Which one of the following are the most widespread inorganic pelagic deposits on the ocean floor ?
Explanation
Pelagic deposits are sediments found on the deep ocean floor, classified into organic (biogenous) and inorganic (lithogenous) types. Red clay (also known as brown clay) is the most widespread inorganic pelagic deposit. It covers approximately 38% of the ocean floor and is particularly dominant in the deeper parts of the Pacific Ocean, below the Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD). It is composed primarily of volcanic ash, wind-blown dust, and meteoritic dust.
In contrast, Calcareous ooze and Radiolarian ooze are biogenous (organic) deposits derived from the remains of marine organisms. While Calcareous ooze is the most widespread pelagic deposit overall (covering about 48% of the ocean floor), it is organic. Volcanic dust is a constituent of red clay rather than a separate category of widespread deposit.