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