Pelagic zone

Pelagic Zone

The Pelagic Zone is a part of the ocean or sea that is not close to the coast or sea floor. It is an open water area that is divided into different zones based on the depth of the water. The word "pelagic" comes from the Greek word pelagikos, which means "of the sea".

Zones of the Pelagic Zone

The Pelagic Zone is divided into several different zones, each with its own unique characteristics and types of marine life.

• Epipelagic Zone - This is the topmost layer of the ocean, extending from the surface to about 200 meters deep. It is also known as the sunlight zone because it receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

• Mesopelagic Zone - Also known as the twilight zone, this layer extends from 200 to 1,000 meters deep. The light here is very faint, and temperature decreases with increasing depth.

• Bathypelagic Zone - This zone extends from 1,000 to 4,000 meters deep and is also known as the midnight zone. No light penetrates this deep, and the pressure is extremely high.

• Abyssopelagic Zone - This zone extends from 4,000 to 6,000 meters deep. The temperature here is near freezing, and there is no light at all.

• Hadalpelagic Zone - This is the deepest part of the ocean, extending from 6,000 meters to the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean. It is found in deep sea trenches and canyons.

Marine Life in the Pelagic Zone

The Pelagic Zone is home to a wide variety of marine species, many of which have adapted to the harsh conditions of the deep sea. These include various species of fish, squid, jellyfish, and plankton. Some of the most well-known species that inhabit the Pelagic Zone include the great white shark, the giant squid, and the blue whale.

See Also

• Marine biology
• Oceanography
• Deep sea creature

References

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  Diagram of the Pelagic Zone

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  Wandering Albatross in flight

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  Representative ocean animal life

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