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9 Nov 2021

Background and context

The ocean is divided into different zones based on water depth and distance from the shoreline as shown in Figure 44.21. These factors affect the amount of sunlight that reaches the water and the nutrients present in the water. The pelagic realm refers to the open ocean that is not close to the shoreline or the ocean floor. The benthic realm extends from the shoreline to the ocean floor. 

The different zones of the ocean based on the distance from the shoreline are:

  • Intertidal zone: This zone is closest to the shore and between high tide and low tide. At low tide, the zone is exposed to air and sunlight and during high tide, the zone is submerged in water. The living organisms must adapt to periods of dryness and develop the ability to withstand the strong waves striking them. 
  • Neritic zone: It lies just above the continental shelf. The water is about 200 meters deep. Sunlight and nutrients are available in abundance for living organisms to survive.
  • Oceanic zone: It lies beyond the continental shelf and in the open ocean area. The water is very deep and nutrients may be scarce. The upper part of the oceanic zone receives ample sunlight for algae and plankton to perform photosynthesis.

The different zones of the ocean based on water depth are:

  • Photic zone: It is about 200 meters deep and sunlight can penetrate this depth. Hence, photosynthesis can occur. 
  • Aphotic zone: This zone is below 200 meters and does not receive enough sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. 
  • Abyssal zone: It is the deepest part of the ocean, close to the ocean floor. This zone is cold and dark. Light does not penetrate this zone and therefore no plants grow here. This zone is rich in nutrients as the dead living organisms settle on the ocean floor and the decomposers act on this dead and decaying matter and release the nutrients.

 

 

 

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Biology
2nd Edition, 2013
Openstax
ISBN: 9781947172517

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