What is defined as sediment containing at least 30% biogeneous material?

Sediment that contains at least 30% biogeneous material is defined as oozes. Oozes are typically formed from the accumulation of microscopic organisms' remains, such as shells and skeletons of marine organisms like foraminifera and coccolithophores. The high percentage of biogeneous material characterizes oozes as distinct from other types of sediments, which may have different particle sizes or compositions.

Clays, sands, and silts are distinct types of sediments based primarily on their size and mineral composition rather than their biological origin. Clays are very fine particles, sands are larger and more granular, while silts are intermediate in size. None of these classifications specifically indicates a significant biological content, making oozes significantly relevant in discussions about sediments with substantial biological contributions.