What is a continental carbonate slope?

The continental slope begins seaward of the shelf break, is underlain by continental crust (as it is part of the continental margin) and is covered in sediments (which are calcareous in this case). The continental slope extends to between 2 and 3 km water depth and is incised by numerous submarine canyons that serve as chutes along which sediments are transported from the continental margin to the deep ocean. Most commonly the carbonate slope lies above the lower limit of oxygenated water (therefore is able to support aerobic life forms). Carbonate slopes can range in morphology from gentle gradients to steep cliffs. These differences in gradient are influenced by the sediment budget.

Carbonate sediments form either from the direct precipitation of aragonite and calcite from seawater or from the activities of organisms (such as corals, mollusks) which construct their shells out of aragonite or calcite. When the organisms die, their skeletal material falls to the sea floor. These particles can be either sand- or mud-sized, and hence carbonate deposits are classified as either carbonate sands or carbonate muds.

Course: GEOL553, Marine Sediments

Instructor: Dr. Kendall

Department of Geological Sciences

University of South Carolina