noun
- the disturbance and mixing of sediment or soil by the activity of living organisms, such as burrowing animals, plant roots, or microorganisms
Usage: technical term used in geology, soil science, and paleontology
Examples
- Bioturbation by earthworms and insects significantly alters the structure of the soil.
- The fossil record shows evidence of bioturbation where ancient organisms burrowed through sedimentary layers.
- Bioturbation can destroy or obscure original sedimentary features in geological deposits.
- Marine bioturbation by benthic organisms affects nutrient cycling on the ocean floor.
- Paleontologists must account for bioturbation when interpreting the age and arrangement of fossils.