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ocean zones and lifestyles
ocean zones
9
Science
11th Grade
03/22/2009
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Reasons why Scientist the Seas 

 Definition

Scientist divide the Seas into many different regions based on physical characteristics

 

  • There are basic classifications based on distance from the shore and depth . 
  • Most basic division of the ocean is between the water column and the bottom.
Term

 

 

Water Portion

 Definition
Called the pelagic zone
 
  • Divided into Subdivisions 
Term

 

 

Sea Bottom 

 

 

 Definition
Called the Benthic Zone
 
 
  • Divided into subdivisions  
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Pelagic Zone 

 Definition
Is divided into two horizontal zones, neritic and oceanic.
 
  • Neritic Zone water area between low tide mark and edge of the continental shelf.
  • Oceanic zone further divided verticle region."open ocean". Further divided into:
       Epipelagic Zone- Top layer that sunlight penetrates "Photic zone".
      
Mesopelagic Zone- Sunlight reaches  but not enough to support life"Dysphotic Zone".
 
Photic Zone- Most biologically productive region(photosynthesize occurs here)as 200m includes: Euphotic zone where photosynthetic organisms bring light energy into biological cycle.

Dysphotic Zone - Area of photic zone sun does reach but not enough for photosynthesis most of the ocean with a fraction of marine life.

Aphotic Zone -Where light doesnt reach; most of the ocean with a fraction of marine life includes:

Bathy Pelagic Zone- Deep water in open ocean.
 
Abyssal Palagic Zone- Even deeper water in the oceanic trenches.
 
Hadal Palagic Zone- Deepest water only at the bottom of oceanic trenches. 
Term

 

 

Benthic Zone

 

 

 Definition
is divided based on depth
  •  Moving from shore toward the open ocean.
First zone is the Supralittoral zone(Supra=upper, Litus=shore) is where water splashes but does not remain submerged.(Fluffy sand:does not get wet.)
 
Next Zone is the Littoral zone - Bottom area between high tide and low tide mark.(Wet sand: does get wet)
 
Beyond this is the continental shelf. Bathyal zone is the bottom along the continental slope.
 
Abyssal Zone = Deep open ocean bottom
 
Hadal Zone- Deepest zone in areas below 6,000m
 
Bathyal, Abyssal and Hadel Zones together commonly called the deep sea floor. 
Term

 

 

Three  Lifestyles of Marine Organisms

 Definition
  • Plankton
  • Nekton
  • Benthos
Term

 

 

Plankton

 

 Definition
  • Name From Greek planktos meaning Wanderer
  • Plankton  are groups of plants and animals that drift in the ocean Currents.
  • Most are very small and Microscopic .
  • Plankton cannot swim against currents and waves.
  • Vital to life with out plankton we would die
  • Ex: Phytoplankton-Photosynthesize,are plants,   Zoo Plankton- are small animals,often Juveniles or larval forms of other animals.
  • Subgroup of Plankton is Neuston,those Plankton that float on the surface.                  Ex: Portuguese manofwar-Has a special gas filled float that allow the wind to push it along the surface to help it capture prey.
Term

 

 

Nekton

 Definition
  • Can swim
  • Can be small invertibrates to large whales
  • Most Sea Predators are Nekton
  • Most Nekton are Vertebrates , but not all            Ex: Squid
Term

 

 

Benthos

 Definition
  • Organisms that live in or on the ocean bottom
  • Benthos can be Sessile organisms (permanently attached; not freely moving)that are attached like barnicles and seafans.
  • Divided into:                                                   Epifauna:animals like crabs that live on the sea floor.                                                      Epiflora : Plants like sea grasses that live on the sea floor.                                                 Infauna: oraganisms that live partly or completely buried in the sea floor                  
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