ABSTRACT
The physical properties of marine sediments vary from those of terrestrial origin to those that are unique to the marine environment. This chapter presents the various characteristics of these sediments. Consolidation tests run indicate that plots of void ratio as a function of the logarithm of effective stress is not always linear. In addition, at high stresses the compressibility decreases significantly. Secondary consolidation occurs when the soil structure is susceptible to creep deformation under a constant stress. The shear strength of calcareous soils can be modeled in three stages depending upon the amount of calcium carbonate present and whether it is cemented or not. The categorization of burrowed media is based on geological records of trace fossils of biological activity. Ichologists have developed a bioturbation index (BI) in order to describe the degree to which sediments exhibit bioturbation. The BI is related to the rate of sedimentation and duration of colonization.
