Ocean Zones and Lifestyles Aquatic Science Ocean Zones

Environment Classification Methods Marine scientists classify marine environments by dividing the seas into many different regions based on physical characteristics. Scientists may classify parts of the ocean into different zones or regions based on the light, depth, temperature, density, latitude, and distance form shore or a combination of these.

Location The most basic division of the ocean based on location is between the water column and the bottom. The water portion is called the _____________ ________ The pelagic zone is divided into two horizontal zones: The ______________ _______ is the water area between the low tide mark to the edge of the continental shelf. is the open water area beyond that. The bottom is called the

is the top layer that sunlight penetrates. The oceanic zone is further divided into vertical regions called the epipelagic zone, mesopelagic zone, bathypelagic zone, abyssalpelagic zone, and the hadalpelagic zone. The ____________________ _ is the top layer that sunlight penetrates. Below the epipelagic zone lies the mesopelagic zone, which sunlight reaches but not strongly enough to support life. Below the mesopelagic zone are the bathypelagic, abyssalpelagic, and the hadalpelagic. The bathypelagic zone is the deep water in the open ocean. The abyssalpelagic zone is the even deeper water in oceanic trenches. Hadalpelagic is the deeper water in the ocean trenches.

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/5239/zones-of-the-ocean http://www.trunity.net/sample_textbook/articles/view/177531/?topic=82272

The Benthic Zone The benthic zone is divided based on depth. Moving from shore toward the open ocean, the first zone is the _______________ ______ Beyond that lies the _______________ ______ which is the bottom area between the high-tide and low-tide mark so that is sometimes submerged and sometimes above water.

The Pelagic Zone The _____________________ can be divided vertically by the depth of light penetration. The ________________ _____ is the upper, sunlit zone. The photic zone is subdivided into the euphotic (lighted) zone and the dysphotic (dimly lit) zone. is the lower zone in constant darkness, approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and deeper.

Plankton _____________________ is a group of plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that exist adrift in ocean currents. Most plankton are very small or microscopic and can’t swim against currents or waves. Plankton are among the most important organisms on Earth, without which most life would die.

Plankton Humor…

Nekton The_____________________ are what you probably visualize when you think of marine organisms. These are the organisms that swim, from small invertebrates to large whales. The majority of nekton are ________________ _____ such as fish and whales. A few are invertebrates such as squid.

_____________________ The benthos are organisms that live on or in the bottom. Benthos can move about or be _______________ ______ like sea anemones, barnacles, and sea fans.

_____________________ Plankton, nekton, and benthos have subgroups. One important subgroup of plankton is called the neuston. The neuston are those plankton that float at the surface i.e., the Portuguese Man-of-War. http://www.thelivingocean.net/2012_09_18_archive.html

Dead Zones

What causes HYPOXIA?

Dead Zones http://coastalcare.org/2010/09/expanding-threat-of-hypoxia-in-u-s-coastal-waters/ http://www.earthgauge.net/kids-archives/september-2012-all