Calcareous ooze is a type of sediment found on the ocean floor, primarily composed of the remains of marine organisms, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells, such as foraminifera and coccolithophores. This ooze forms in areas where the rate of these organisms' accumulation exceeds the rate of dissolution, typically in shallow, warm waters. The presence of calcareous ooze can provide valuable information about past ocean conditions and climate. It plays a significant role in the carbon cycle, as the calcium carbonate can eventually form limestone through geological processes, contributing to the Earth's sedimentary rock formations.