Oceanography Page 1 of 6

Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

Ocean Zones

There's a trench in the bottom of the sea. Would you like to visit it?

In 1960, two men in a specially designed submarine called the Trieste descended into a

submarine trench called the Challenger Deep (10,916 meters). This depth remains a record for a

manned descent. The film director, James Cameron,, got to 10,898 meters in his one-man vessel,

the Deepsea Challenger, in 2012. Would you like to go to the bottom of the ocean in that vessel?

Divisions of the Ocean Oceanographers divide the ocean into zones both vertically and horizontally.

Vertical Divisions

To better understand regions of the ocean, scientists define the water column by depth. They

divide the entire ocean into two zones vertically, based on light level. Large lakes are divided

into similar regions.

Sunlight only penetrates the sea surface to a depth of about 200 m, creating the photic

zone ("photic" means light). Organisms that photosynthesize depend on sunlight for

food and so are restricted to the photic zone. Since tiny photosynthetic organisms,

known as phytoplankton, supply nearly all of the energy and nutrients to the rest of the

marine food web, most other marine organisms live in or at least visit the photic zone.

In the aphotic zone there is not enough light for photosynthesis. The aphotic zone

makes up the majority of the ocean, but has a relatively small amount of its life, both in

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Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

diversity of type and in numbers. The aphotic zone is subdivided based on depth

(Figure below).

The average depth of the ocean is 3,790 m, a lot more shallow than the deep trenches but still an

incredible depth for sea creatures to live in. What makes it so hard to live at the bottom of the

ocean? The three major factors that make the deep ocean hard to inhabit are:

1. the absence of light,

2. low temperature,

3. and extremely high pressure.

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Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

Horizontal Divisions

The seabed is divided into the zones described above, but ocean itself is also divided horizontally

by distance from the shore.

Nearest to the shore lies the intertidal zone (also called the littoral zone), the region between

the high and low tidal marks. The hallmark of the intertidal is change: water is in constant

motion in the form of waves, tides, and currents. The land is sometimes under water and

sometimes exposed.

The neritic zone is from low tide mark and slopes gradually downward to the edge of the

seaward side of the continental shelf. Some sunlight penetrates to the seabed here.

The oceanic zone is the entire rest of the ocean from the bottom edge of the neritic zone,

where sunlight does not reach the bottom. The sea bed and water column are subdivided

further, as seen in the Figure on the previous page.

Summary The most important vertical distinction in the oceans is between the small surface

zone that has light, the photic zone, and the entire rest of the ocean without light, the aphotic zone.

The ocean is divided into horizontal zones based on the depth of water beneath: the intertidal, neritic, and oceanic.

Why does most of the life in the oceans live in or at least visit the surface?

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Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

Making Connections Complete the following questions and assignment and email the completed work to Mr. Sewell.

Explore More Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNPHuUvW2Nk (10:00 min)

1. What is common to all of the benthic zones? What are the benthic subzones from shallow to deep?

2. What does pelagic mean? What are the pelagic zones from shallow to deep? 3. Why does the neritic zone have the highest density of productivity, density of life and

nutrient levels? 4. Why does the epipelagic zone have the most productivity? 5. Why do organisms go between zones? 6. Where does the deep oceans get nutrients? 7. What is unique about the littoral zone? 8. How do conditions vary between the top and bottom of the littoral zone?

Review

1. Why is there so little life at the bottom of the ocean? 2. Compare and contrast the intertidal, neritic, and oceanic zones. 3. Do you think that the line between the photic and aphotic zones is solid and that life

is either in one or the other, or do you think the divisions are more gradational? Why?

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Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

Assignment: Create a narrated “Video” that demonstrates not only a description of the following concepts, but their interconnectedness. You and your lab partner will research these areas, write a script that can be recorded. Please include images and video footage that demonstrates the area, and feel free to be creative and set your video to music, use animations…etc. Use the video software of your choice.

water column

vertical zonation

pelagic zone

o photic zone

Euphotic Zone

Dysphotic zone

o Oceanic Zone

Epipelagic

Mesopelagic

Bathypelagic

Abyssopelagic

o aphotic zone

benthic zone

o Neritic zone

Littoral

Sublittoral

o Suboceanic

Bathyal

Abyssal

Hadal

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Marine Biology: Ocean Zonation M.Sewell rm #70

The grading rubric is as follows: (This should be turned in to Mr. Sewell when you submit your project

for grading).

Science Project Rubric: Due ___________Date Turned In:_______

Names:

Topic and Type of Presentation __________________________________________

Category 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

Quality of Information

Information clearly relates to the main topic. It is accurate and includes several supporting details. All requested data was discussed.

Information clearly relates to the main topic and is accurate. It provides 3-4 supporting details. Missing discussion of one or two terms.

Information relates to the main topic and is accurate. It has 2 or less supporting details. Missing discussion of 3 or more terms.

Information does not relate to the topic or is inaccurate. Supporting details are lacking.

Sources Three or more credible sources are cited.

1 or 2 credible sources are cited.

It is evident that sources were used but none are sited.

No sources are obvious or documented

Evidence of Additional

Learning Outside of Classroom

At least 4 new facts are included in the presentation.

3 new facts are included in the presentation.

1 or 2 new facts are included but most information is from class.

No new information is evident. It appears that the information is totally from class.

Presentation

All information is very organized, attractive, complete, and detailed. Video, images, and sound bytes are all part of the presentation.

Most information is organized, attract, complete and detailed. Use video, images or sound, but not all.

Information appears somewhat disorganized, sloppy, or incomplete. Does not use any video or images, or sound.

Information is not organized, attractive, complete, or detailed.

Associated Activity Summary

Completion of the requested questions associated with this assignment. Complete sentences and correct grammar used.

Completion of most of the associated questions. Mostly complete sentences and correct grammar.

Completion of less than half the requested questions; with incomplete sentences and grammar.

Questions not completed.

Self-Evaluation

This rubric was completed thoughtfully and was completed as the project was being constructed. It is evident it was used to create high quality work.

This rubric was completed thoughtfully and was completed as the project was being constructed. It appears that it was not used to improve the quality of the product.

This rubric was provided but does not appear to be completed beforehand or thoughtfully.

No self-evaluation rubric is attached.