The name, Mineral/Lithic, was suggested by Guy Rothwell.)Дef: All mineral grains (clastic, authigenic and precipitates) not included in other granular sediment classes. Mineral/Lithic Class (Siliciclastic, Neritic, in part, and possibly Volcaniclastic, in part, of Mazzullo, et al.

Although most natural glass is of volcanic origin, mikrotectites, presumed impact-melted spherules have a different origin. In order to be consistent with the ODP classification, however, and to maintain the commonly used glass descriptors (ash, tuff, lapilli), the class is retained here as a separate category. The Glass Class is nearly monomineralic, and perhaps over emphasized in this classification. define volcaniclastic as derived from volcanic sources and include volcanic detritus 'eroded from volcanic rocks by wind or water.' I have restricted this class to glass and palagonite, placing the amphiboles and pyroxenes in the Mineral/Lithic Class, as like quartz and feldspar they may be eroded from a variety of igneous sources. Glass (Volcaniclastic, in part, of Mazzullo, et al.)Дiscussion: Mazzullo, et al.

Remains or traces of once-living organisms.Дiscussion: The individual components comprising the class may be recognized on the basis of general form and optic properties, so although 'once-living' implies genesis, the describer can recognize and assign these components to the Biogenic Class without a priori knowledge of 'once living.'Д¬alcareous rock fragments with recognizable biogenic components Although two classes (Glass and Biogenic) imply provenance (volcanic origin in the case of glass organic origin in the case of biogenic), the components can be placed in the various classes on the basis of their observed shapes, habits and optic properties without resort to prior knowledge of their provenance.Д«iogenic (Pelagic and Neritic, in part, of Mazzullo, et al.)Дef. These equate roughly to Siliciclastic, Volcaniclastic, and Pelagic classes, respectively of Mazzullo, et al., but are redefined to create a wholly descriptive classification, based solely upon grain-size and sediment constituents. Three classes of granular sediments are recognized: Mineral/Lithic, Glass and Biogenic. Cores which contain more than 50% of precipitates, recrystallized rock or carbonaceous sediments may be referred to the ODP chemical-sediment classification. The following addresses only the classification of granular sediments, those in which approximate percentages of individual components may determined from gross or smear-slides inspection. The ODP classification scheme recognizes two basic sediment types (1) granular and (2) chemical. (All capitals in the following text distinguishes operative from explanatory material.) produce a sediment name which may be computer generated on the basis of the given component percentages.define all terms while preserving definitions in general use (e.g.ensure that every relatively common mineral, biogenic component, and rock fragment is assigned to one class or another.Group components according to Rothwell's organization appearing in 'Minerals and Mineraloids in Marine Sediments, an Optical Identification Guide.' Rothwell developed this guide especially for smear-slide descriptions of marine sediments. base component listings primarily on those which can be recognized in smear slides and gross lithologic descriptions.list specific components in each class, so that smear-slide data (and component fields in the NGDC/Curators format) may be easily translated into a sediment name and, conversely, so that the sediment name gives a good quick indication of sediment constituents.make it completely descriptive base classification upon what can be determined under a petrographic microscope without interpretation of provenance and postulated genesis.Although often modified by individual ODP shipboard parties, the underlying premises and structuring of sediment names areis in general use by the majority of by sea-going sedimentologists.Д¬onsiderations: To incorporate the ODP scheme into the NGDC/Curators database we would need to 'New Sediment Classification Scheme' in the ODP Shipboard Scientist's Handbook, March 1990, pp.125-130.)ДЄpproach: Generally accept the naming conventions of the current ODP classification scheme. (The current ODP classification scheme, developed by Jim Mazzullo, Audrey Meyer and Robert Kidd appears as Appendix B. Objective: Modify the ODP Sediment Classification System so that it may reasonably be applied to sediment descriptions in the NGDC/Curators' database. (MODIFIED FROM THE ODP SEDIMENT CLASSIFICATION SCHEME)

Folk ternary diagram