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Exploring Ocean Zones: Epipelagic to Hadalpelagic, Lecture notes of Oceanography

An overview of the five distinct photic layers of the ocean, also known as ocean zones. Each zone has unique characteristics in terms of light, pressure, temperature, and the types of organisms that inhabit them. Fun facts about each zone and an activity to test your knowledge of sea creatures and their habitats.

What you will learn

  • Which ocean zone is known as the midnight zone?
  • Which ocean zone is known as the twilight zone?
  • Which ocean zone is known as the sunlight zone?

Typology: Lecture notes

2021/2022

Uploaded on 09/12/2022

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Oceanography: Vertical Ocean Zones
Earth’s oceans are home to a multitude of diverse plant
and animal life! Though scientists from all across the
world have spent many years studying the ocean, there are
still incredible findings yet to be discovered in its depths.
We know that the oceans are very vast and deep. They
cover 71% of our planet. The deepest part, the Mariana
Trench, is just under 7 miles deep! There are many
methods that scientists use to categorize the ocean and the
life it contains; one is based on light.
There are 5 distinct photic layers of the ocean: the
epipelagic zone (the sunlight zone), the mesopelagic zone
(the twilight zone), the bathypelagic zone (the midnight
zone), the abyss (the abyssopelagic zone), and the
trenches (the hadalpelagic zone).
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Oceanography: Vertical Ocean Zones

Earth’s oceans are home to a multitude of diverse plant

and animal life! Though scientists from all across the

world have spent many years studying the ocean, there are

still incredible findings yet to be discovered in its depths.

We know that the oceans are very vast and deep. They

cover 71% of our planet. The deepest part, the Mariana

Trench, is just under 7 miles deep! There are many

methods that scientists use to categorize the ocean and the

life it contains; one is based on light.

There are 5 distinct photic layers of the ocean: the

epipelagic zone (the sunlight zone), the mesopelagic zone

(the twilight zone), the bathypelagic zone (the midnight

zone), the abyss (the abyssopelagic zone), and the

trenches (the hadalpelagic zone).

Fun facts about each zone: The sunlight zone has lots of light and oxygen and low pressure. The majority of ocean life exists in this zone, and many human activities such as boating, fishing, and watersports take place here. The twilight zone contains some interesting sea creatures such as eels and swordfish. This layer is penetrated by a few rays of light. The midnight zone contains no light and has very cold temperatures and high pressure. Organisms in this zone (and the abyssal zone) are bioluminescent, and many do not have sight. The abyss contains extremely high pressure and freezing temperatures. Very little life can survive in this zone. The trenches are the final zone, this is one of the most mysterious and hostile environments on the planet. Organisms here eat debris that float down from the upper layers.

ANSWER KEY: Sunlight Zone: Shark, Sea Turtle, Dolphin Twilight Zone: Krill Midnight Zone: Sperm Whale, Squid, Deep-Sea Angler Fish The Abyss: Sea Spider, Basket Star The Trenches: Tube Worms, Sea Cucumber