Final answer:
Sediment is transported by rivers and deposited in the ocean, traveling down the continental shelf and slope before settling in the ocean basins. Factors like water currents and particle size influence sediment deposition, forming various sedimentary rocks and affecting benthic habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sediment is matter that settles on the bottom of watery environments and can be found throughout the ocean floor. Sediments originate from various sources, including erosion and weathering processes on the Earth's surface. Some of this sediment travels along rivers until it reaches the ocean, where its journey continues down the continental shelf and continental slope, eventually being deposited on the ocean basins. The movement and final deposition of sediments are influenced by various factors, including the velocity of water currents, the presence of turbidity currents, and the different types of sedimentary particles like gravel, sand, silt, and clay.
Deltas and estuarine areas are some depositional environments where sediment from rivers may be deposited before entering the ocean. Sedimentary rocks such as conglomerates, sandstone, and shale are formed from these sediments over time. In the marine environment, sediments can lead to the creation of distinct layers known as beds, and the habitats for benthic organisms.