photic zone

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Zonation of the ocean. The open ocean, the pelagic zone, includes all marine waters throughout the globe beyond the continental shelf, as well as the benthic, or bottom, environment on the ocean floor. Nutrient concentrations are low in most areas of the open ocean, and as a result this great expanse of water contains only a small percentage of all marine organisms. Far below the surface in the midocean ridges of the abyssal zone, deep-sea hydrothermal vents supporting an unusual assemblage of organisms—including chemoautotrophic bacteria—occur.

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A large school of mano (sharks) called Galapagos sharks at Maro Reef in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)a worldwide species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae.

Saving Sharks in the 2020s

Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) photographed in the Midwest in 2017. endangered species insect pollination

What Would Happen If All the Bees Died?

Model of global ocean currents and temperatures

How Do Ocean Currents Affect the Biosphere?

algae. Lake Erie. Dead fish in harmful algal bloom along the southeast Lake Erie shore of Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada, 5 miles north of the international line Aug. 19, 2011. Toxic algae blooms, drinking water, 4th largest of 5 Great Lakes

Harmful Algal Blooms

Star fish entangled in gillnet

Talking Ocean Trash: Ghost Gear Keeps on Fishing

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Abstract vector hi speed internet technology background

History of Technology Timeline

Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding

7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers

A Factory Interior, watercolor, pen and gray ink, graphite, and white goache on wove paper by unknown artist, c. 1871-91; in the Yale Center for British Art. Industrial Revolution England

Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.

10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.

26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History

An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.

11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Aphrodite. Greek mythology. Sculpture. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

12 Greek Gods and Goddesses

photic zone: Related Content

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Photos

Zonation of the ocean. The open ocean, the pelagic zone, includes all marine waters throughout the globe beyond the continental shelf, as well as the benthic, or bottom, environment on the ocean floor. Nutrient concentrations are low in most areas of the open ocean, and as a result this great expanse of water contains only a small percentage of all marine organisms. Far below the surface in the midocean ridges of the abyssal zone, deep-sea hydrothermal vents supporting an unusual assemblage of organisms—including chemoautotrophic bacteria—occur.

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Topics

euphotic zone disphotic zone epipelagic zone marine ecosystem abyssal zone bathyal zone bottom water littoral zone halocline deep-scattering layer neritic zone

Quiz

Chutes d'Ekom - a waterfall on the Nkam river in the rainforest near Melong, in the western highlands of Cameroon in Africa.

Ecosystems