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IB Marine Science Standard Level (SL) Practice Exam

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Which process turns loose sediment into rock?
Correct Answer:
Lithification
Explanation:
Transforming loose sediment into rock is lithification. This diagenetic process happens as sediment layers accumulate and are buried, increasing pressure which compacts the grains (compaction). At the same time, minerals dissolved in pore water precipitate and cement the grains together (cementation). Together, these steps reduce porosity and turn loose sediment into solid rock, producing typical sedimentary rocks like sandstone, siltstone, or mudstone depending on grain size. The other terms aren’t processes that convert loose sediment into rock: a mineral is just a substance; an evaporite is a rock formed by evaporation leaving minerals behind; neritic sediment refers to a type of sediment from nearshore environments.

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