Biologic sedimentary rocks form when living organisms die, pile up, and are then compressed and cemented together. Types of biologic sedimentary rock include coal (accumulated plant material that is carbon-rich), or limestone and coquina (rocks made of marine organisms).

Coal is a sedimentary rock formed over millions of years from compressed plants. Inorganic detrital rocks, on the other hand, are formed from broken up pieces of other rocks, not from living things. These rocks are often called clastic sedimentary rocks.

Biological sedimentary rocks are formed when living organisms die, pile up, and compress and cement together. Thus most fossils are found in these types of rocks. Some common examples of biological sedimentary rock are coal (plant remains) and limestone (remains of marine organisms).

Coal: An organic sedimentary rock formed from accumulated plant debris, typically in swamp environments. Gypsum: A soft mineral rock formed from the evaporation of seawater. Dolostone: Similar to limestone but containing the mineral dolomite.