Ocean Zonation
Pelagic Zone
• Water Environment
• Divided into the
Neritic Zone
and Oceanic Zone
Oceanic Zone
• Open ocean away
from the direct
influence of land
Neritic Zone
• Coastal zone or the
sublittoral zone.
• Shallow water zone
where light
penetrates to
the bottom.
Benthic Zone
• Sea Floor Environment
Epipelagic
•
•
•
•
A.K.A.:Photic, Euphotic or Sunlit Zone
Depth: approximately 200 meters deep
Depends on the turbidity of the water
General Characterisitics: Top of the ocean. Generally
receives lots of sunlight and relatively warmer
temperatures. High D.O.
• Energy and Producers: the main source of energy is
the sun. Phytoplankton and macroalgae are the main
producers but there are a few marine plants as well.
• Organisms Adaptations: countershading- light on
bottom and dark on the top.
Mesopelagic
• A.K.A.: Disphotic or twilight zone.
• Depth: 200- 1000 meters
• General Characterisitics: receives some sunlight.
Contains the thermocline and is between 4-20 degrees
Celsius. Pressure can be up to 1,470 psi. Less D.O. than
the photic zone
• Energy and Producers: Not enough sunlight for
photosynthesis. Relies on plant matter and algae that
fall into the zone. Most animals are predators and prey
on others in the zone.
• Organisms Adaptations: Large eyes, small, dark and
thin. Bioluminescence is used to lure prey and for
camouflage. Counterillumination: lit on bottom not lit
on top. Large teeth and jaws.
Bathypelagic
• A.K.A.:Midnight or Aphotic Zone
• Depth: 1,000- 4,000 meters
• General Characterisitics: No sunlight.
Temperatures are nearly freezing. The pressure is
extremely high
• Energy and Producers: No photosynthesis.
Organisms rely heavily on organic matter that
drift down from the photic zone. Most organisms
are predators and scavengers.
• Organisms Adaptations: Colored red and black for
camouflage.
Abyssopelagic
• A.K.A.: The Abyss, Midnight Zone (Greek- for no
bottom)
• Depth: 4,000 – 6,000 meters
• General Characterisitics: No sunlight. Temperatures
are nearly freezing. The pressure is extremely high up
to 11,000 psi
• Energy and Producers: No photosynthesis.
Chemosynthesis can occur here (producing sugars from
chemicals instead of sunlight). Most organisms are
predators.
• Organisms Adaptations: Colored red and black for
camouflage.
Hadalpelagic Zone
• A.K.A.: The Hadal Zone or Trenches (Greek- named after
the god Hades)
• Depth: 6,000 to -10,000 (deepest is the Mariana Trench
10,911 meters)
• General Characterisitics: No sunlight. Temperatures are
nearly freezing. The pressure is extremely high up to
16,000 psi
• Energy and Producers: No photosynthesis. Chemosythesis
can occur here (producing sugars from chemicals instead of
sunlight). Most organisms are predators.
• Organisms Adaptations: have to withstand extreme
pressure. Dark or clear. Mostly invertebrates
Intertidal/Littoral Zone
• A.K.A.:
• Width: From high tide to low tide
• General Characterisitics: at times it is
submerged and others it is exposed. High D.O.
and nutrients. Lots of Sunlight
• Energy and Producers: Photosynthesis, mainly
algae and some plants
• Organisms Adaptations: remember from the
tide notes.
Subtidal/Sublittoral/Neritic Zone
• A.K.A.: the coastal zone
• Width: extends from the low tide mark to the
shelf break, the outer most edge of the
continental shelf. (avg. 150 meters)
• General Characterisitics: Lots of sunlight and
nutrients. High D.O.
• Energy and Producers: Photosythesis.
Phytoplankton and macroalgae (kelp).
• Organisms Adaptations: Epifauna: live on top of
sediment and Infauna: burrow or dig in sediment