Download - Oceanic Zones
Oceanic ZonesSeveral factors used to divide the ocean in to
distinct life marine zones
light availabilitydistance from shorewater depth
Zones of Light Availabilityphotic (light) zone: upper part of the ocean
where light penetrateseuphotic zone is the topmost part of the
ocean where light is strongestaphotic zone: lower part of the ocean where
very little or no light penetrates
Photic Zoneeuphotic zone is where nearly all of primary
production from photosynthesis occurshighest concentration of plants
Algae, phytoplankton, and sea grassmost ocean fish live in this zone
Plants and Animals of Photic Zone
Aphotic Zoneno living plantshigh pressure, low temperaturesanimals survive by eating detritus or other
animalsanimals must adapt to living with no light
Zones: Distance from the Shoreintertidal zone: where land an ocean overlapneritic zone: seaward from the low tide line,
the continental shelf out to the shelf breakoceanic zone: beyond the continental shelf
Life in the Neritic Zonewell oxygenated waterlow water pressurestable temperature and salinity levelshome to photosynthetic life
phytoplanktonsargassum
Animals and Plants of the Neritic Zone
Oceanic Zonelarger creatureslife decreases with increasing depthwidest array of life (because it is a very broad
area)
Animals of the Oceanic Zone
Water Depthpelagic zone: open ocean of any depthbenthic zone: includes any sea bottom surfaceabyssal zone: subdivision of benthic zone;
deepextremely high water pressurelow temperatures
Benthic Zonelow oxygenation of waterlow temperaturesanimals here feed on detritus or other
animalslittle or no plant life (depending on depth of
water
Animals of the Benthic Zone
Abyssal Zonefloor of deepest parts of oceanmost bizarre animals found hereincredible water pressureabsolutely no lightvery cold temperatureshard to survive
Animals of the Abyssal Zone