COASTAL ZONES

Ocean 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

200-1000m

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. pelagicupper layers of the OPEN SEA

-epipelagic-mesopelagic-bathylpelagic-abyssalpelagic

2. benthicOCEAN 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 (200-1000m)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 Zoneocean bottom- contains many bottom dwellers such as

shellfish, worms, and other scavengers

1)littoral zone – shallow water between high and low tides2) sublittoral zone - ocean bottom near shore and out to

edge of continental shelf3) bathyal zone - seabed on the continental slopes4) abyssal zone - deepest sea bed, trenches and

floors

OCEAN ZONES