COASTAL ZONES Ocean Zones

there are several different ocean zones that are determined by: – light – depth – bottom divisions

Ocean Zones by Light

Classification by Light: 0-200m m 1000m+

1. euphotic zone 0-200m ‘sunlit layer’ at ocean’s surface all photosynthesis in this zone 2. disphotic zone (aka ‘twilight zone’) 200 – 1000m animals can see, but have adaptations( ex. bioluminescence) not enough light for photosynthesis 3. aphotic zone 1000m and below largest region, NO LIGHT!

Ocean Zones by Surface Location 1. neritic zone – near coast – spans from the low-tide line to the edge of the continental shelf in ocean 2. oceanic zone – is the part of the open sea or ocean that is not near the coast

Ocean Zones by Depth 1. pelagic upper layers of the OPEN SEA -epipelagic -mesopelagic -bathylpelagic -abyssalpelagic 2. benthic OCEAN BOTTOM, living in or on the bottom of a body of water

1: Pelagic zone (4 Depth Zones) 1. epipelagic zone (0-200m) receives enough sunlight to support photosynthesis; relatively warm, well lit, most life in this zone 2. mesopelagic zone ( m) only small amounts of light; animals must survive cold temps, high pressure and very dim light

3. bathypelagic zone (1000m-4000m) no light, so no plant life; very few animal species; species such as giant squid, angler fish etc. 4. abyssal pelagic (4000+ m) deep sea area; very dark, cold, and covered in sediment; makes up 85% of the ocean environment! contains brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars etc.

Benthic Zone ocean bottom- contains many bottom dwellers such as shellfish, worms, and other scavengers 1)littoral zone – shallow water between high and low tides 2) sublittoral zone - ocean bottom near shore and out to edge of continental shelf 3) bathyal zone - seabed on the continental slopes 4) abyssal zone - deepest sea bed, trenches and floors

OCEAN ZONES