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Location Mesopelagic
approx. 200m – 1000 m Dim light
The Deep Sea Below 1000m 3 zones: Bathypelagic, Abyssopelagic,
Hadopelagic
Mesopelagic Organisms depend on Epipelagic
Approx. 20% of epipelagic food sinks to mesopelagic
Fewer organisms, small size
Large mouths, extendable jaws, sharp teeth due to lack of food
Adaptations of Midwater Organisms Feeding: vertical migration or filter feed on
detritus
Bioluminescence used for counterillumination
Large eyes
Non-migrators lack swim bladder
Large gills if live in O2-minimum layer
Challenger Deep Deepest part of the ocean
Approx. 11,000 m (7 miles) deep
Mariana Trench – Pacific Ocean
“Challenger” refers to British survey ship
Exploration Trieste
Manned bathyscaphe Reached 10, 919 m (35,810 ft.) in 1960
Kaiko Unmanned, Japanese research vessel 1995 reached deepest part of ocean (10,991m or
36,061 feet)
Abiotic Factors in the Deep Sea Lack of light
Pressure: 1000+ atm (14,700 psi)
Cold: 1o – 2o C
Only about 5% of food from epipelagic
Hydrothermal Vents Undersea hot water
springs
Release Hydrogen sulfide into water
Allow for chemosynthesis by bacteria
Adaptations Bioluminescence for attracting prey & mates
Many are hermaphrodites
Male parasitism
Slow metabolism, specialized enzymes