The conditions of the Abyssal Zone are almost constant. Hagfish, for example, can go as long as seven months without eating because their metabolism is so slow. The Abyssopelagic extends from 13,100 to 19,700 feet (4,000-6,000 m) down to the seafloor or abyssal plain. Temperatures here are frigid, and pressures are hundreds of times greater than at the surface of the ocean. Picture the deepest, darkest part of the ocean. Terms of Service| In order to better study and understand this huge ecosystem, scientists divide the it into different zones: 1. Other types of animals found in the abyssopelagic zone include deep-sea jellies, sea stars, deep-sea shrimp, and the dumbo octopus. It is also known as the sunlight zone because that's where most of the sunlight reache s The clearer the water the deeper Epipelagic layer at the . 1. The deepest a fish have ever been found, Abyssobrotula galatheae, was in the Puerto Rico Trench at 8,372 meters (27,460 feet). Introduce ocean habitats.Go to the NOAA/National Weather Services Profile of the Ocean diagram. At depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters (which is approximately 9,800 to 19,700 ft), this zone remains in acute darkness. - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Abyssopelagic zone (4,000-6,000m) - This is the zone past the continental slope - the deep water just over the ocean bottom. This part of the ocean is known as the Abyssal Zone, AKA Abyssopelagic Zone. Abyssal pressure is also extreme due to the amount of water covering the zone, between 200 and 600 times greater than the surface pressure. It is strongest in the tropics and decrease to non-existent in the polar winter season. Mesopelagic Zone Compared to continental shelves, the deep sea is also very sparsely inhabited, largely because the availability of food is so limited. The tripod fish has three projections that allow it to rest on the ocean floor, scanning for prey. Because the deep sea is completely black, the ability to produce light can help fish lure prey, find prey, and attract mates. Usually, the abyssal realm is far enough from land that the sediment contains mostly microscopic plankton remains, produced in the food chain in the overlying waters. 5. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. Most of the animals that live at these depths are black or red in color due to the lack of light. Abyssal sediment in waters shallower than 4,000 m in equatorial to temperate regions is composed primarily of the calcareous shells of foraminiferan zooplankton and of phytoplankton such as coccolithophores. Due to its constant darkness, this zone is also called the midnight zone. It lies between the mesopelagic above, and the abyssopelagic below. 2. Marine ecosystems contain a diverse array of living organisms and abiotic processes. Because water pressure increases one atmosphere every 33 feet in depth, animals in the abyssal zone must be able to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure. Types of animals that live in the Abyssopelagic zone include algae, anemones, anglerfish, arrow worm, cookie-cutter shark, copepods, crabs, and other crustaceans, ctenophores, dinoflagellates, fangtooth, lantern fish (Myctophids), mussels, nudibranchs, some squid, segmented worms . When organisms living in these upper layers die, their remains slowly drift down toward the ocean floor like soft snow. The cold climate there produces sea ice and residual cold brine. Organisms have adapted to the harsh environment of the abyssopelagic zone in order to survive. Explain that the abyssopelagic, or abyssal benthic, zone is the region that includes the ocean floor. At depths of 3,000 to 6,000 metres (9,800 to . The bathypelagic is much larger than the mesopelagic and 15 times the size of the epipelagic. Due to the limited availability of food, the deep sea is also sparsely populated compared to continental shelves. In the ocean, photosynthesis occurs in the sunlit upper layers. (3,300-13,000 feet deep); the abyssopelagic zone, or abyss (13,000-20,000 feet deep); and the . The region of the ocean that lies between 3,000 and 6,000 meters (or 9,800 and 19,700 feet) below the ocean's surface is called the abyssal zone. The midnight zone is the next bathypelagic zone after the mesopelagic zone. my forever sunshine thai drama eng sub dramacool; irs letter from austin, tx 73301; mississippi state football camp 2022; steering the ship metaphor; pyrosome eats penguin; the wiggles scripts; decomposers in the mesopelagic zone. Photosynthesis in the ocean takes place in the sunlit upper layers. The abyssal zone is a frightening sight. Some animals that live in the aphotic zone include the gulper eel, giant squid, smaller squids, anglerfish, vampire squid, and numerous jellyfish. Among the species that we can find are: the giant squid that manages to measure between 17 and 19 meters long, the dragon fish, balloon fish, crystal squid, octopus Dumbo, anoplogaster brachycera, soccpharynx, melanocetus johnsonii and fish axe. Washington, DC 20036, Careers| Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.. Epipelagic Zone In this lesson, we learned that the abyssal zone is the layer of the ocean from 13,000 feet to the seafloor at 20,000 feet. Up to about 200 feet below the surface of the ocean is called the epipelagic zone. These layers are followed by the abyssal zone, which is the focus of this article. This is where sunlight penetrates the water and where a wide variety of sea life exist. Many abyssal animals are bioluminescent, which means they can produce their own light. Point out to students that the deepest part of the ocean shown is 11,000 meters (36,100 feet), or approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) deep. This so called bioluminescence can be used to attract prey or to find a mate. Organisms in the bathypelagic live in complete darkness, 24 hours per day. Trenches . The mesopelagic zone is much larger than the epipelagic, and the most numerous vertebrates on Earth (small bristlemouth fishes) live in this zone. The habitat contains all an animal needs to survive such as food and shelter. Most fish that live in the bathyal zone are either black or red in color. 4. What is the Abyssal Zone of the Ocean, AKA Abyssopelagic Zone? It is the pitch-black bottom layer of the ocean. And then we also must consider that abyssopelagic means open ocean as opposed to the abyssal plain which is the ocean bottom at those depths. The animals that live in this zone will eat anything since food is very scarce this deep down in the ocean. Abyssal life includes chemosynthetic bacteria, tubeworms, and small fish that are dark in color or transparent. An official website of the United States government. Answer: Ok lets start with definitions. The upper boundary between the abyssal zone and the overlying bathyal zone is conveniently defined as the depth at which the temperature of the water reaches 4C (39F); this depth varies between 1,000 and 3,000 m. Waters deeper than 6,000 m are considered the hadal realm by ecologists. A few examples of these adaptations include blindness to semi-blindness due to the lack of light, bioluminescence, and slow metabolism. As food is scarce in the Abyssal Zone, most animals resort to various physical and behavioral adaptations to survive. This zone extends from 3281 feet or 1000 meters to 13,124 feet or 4000 meters. The pressure in the bathypelagic zone is extreme and at depths of 4,000 meters (13,100 feet), reaches over 5850 pounds per square inch! The Abyss (Abyssal Zone) From 13,135 feet to 19,700 feet, the Abyssal zone (aka "the abyss") contains zero sunlight and crushing levels of water pressure. The depths of the ocean are ill-explored, so it's not currently known how many species inhabit the abyssal ecosystem. We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life -but there is still more to be done. These bacteria are food for large tube worms that also inhabit the vents. 230 lessons. The abyssal zone is a strange, harsh world that seems ill-adapted to support life. No whale species live permanently in the bathyal zone, but sperm whales, with the large proportion of tissue in their heads protecting them from the immense pressures at depth, are capable of diving into the bathyal zone to hunt. There is no primary production of plant life in the bathyal zone, so all creatures that live there are carnivorous, eating each other or feeding on carcasses that sink down from above. Although the abyssal zone is so vast, very few animals can handle the extreme conditions. Most of these animals feed on minimal plants and small fish and shrimp. Learn about the abyssal zone of the ocean, also known as the abyssopelagic zone. The animals of the abyssal plain are the same as those of the continental shelf; octopi, squid, fish, worms, and mollusks are found there. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The only layer deeper than the abyssal zone is the hadalpelagic zone, which occurs from the seafloor into the deepest trenches, or vertical caverns, in the ocean. 4. Above this zone lies the mesopelagic zone, below is located in the abyssal zone also known as the abyssopelagic zone. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. What type of animals lives in the abyssal zone? The pelagic zone contains invertebrates such as squids, jellyfish, octopus, and krill. The ocean is divided into five zones: the epipelagic zone, or upper open ocean (surface to 650 feet deep); the mesopelagic zone, or middle open ocean (650-3,300 feet deep); the bathypelagic zone, or lower open ocean (3,300-13,000 feet deep); the abyssopelagic zone, or abyss (13,000-20,000 feet deep); and the hadopelagic zone, or deep ocean . Discover abyssal zone organisms, including abyssal zone animals and their biome. Many of these bacteria, for example, convert hydrogen sulfide to sulfate and store the energy extracted from this reaction as chemical energy by synthesizing carbon-based compounds. Animals in this zone include anglerfish, deep sea jellyfish, deep sea shrimp, cookiecutter shark, tripod fish, and abyssal octopus also known as the dumbo octopus. Well, I say local it was more like a two hour drive away. These organisms migrate in massive number to the oceans surface at dusk in search of food. What is the abyss in the ocean? Appearing here is an image of a dead specimen of a giant squid examined by scientists: Therefore, although the conditions in the abyssal zone may seem frightening, many animals are able to call this ecosystem home and have evolved to survive in this environment. Bathypelagic Zone Due to no light, Bathypelagic zone is dark and it has high pressure. [ bth-p-ljk ] A layer of the oceanic zone lying below the mesopelagic zone and above the abyssopelagic zone, at depths generally between about 1,000 and 4,000 m (3,280-13,120 ft).The bathypelagic zone receives no sunlight and water pressure is considerable. The ocean produces more than 50 percent of the air we breathe.4, 7. Among the types of abyssal fish, some of the most notable are: Angler fish (Ceratias holboelli) This fish (order Lophiiformes) inhabits the depths of all the oceans in our planet. It exists at approximately 13,000 ft to 20,000 ft of depth. This zone is characterized by a relative lack of life. Most of them don't need to see to survive. These bacteria, for example, convert hydrogen sulfide into sulfate and store the energy from this reaction as chemical energy by synthesizing carbon-based compounds. They are sometimes referred to as ocean layers or environmental zones. What fish lives in the abyssal zone? Sea surface temperatures for a single year: 2014 (900 kb). This water is entirely dark and has extreme pressure, despite the abundance of sea life. The bathypelagic zone follows from 1000-4,000 m in depth, a subzone containing the infrequent bioluminescent organism. Food is hard to find, so they must swallow as much as they can when they find it and store some of it, because their next meal may be a long time away. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses. The surface layers of the ocean generally obtain oxygen from diffusion and brisk circulation. The deepest known ocean depth is nearly 11,000 m (36,000 feet or almost 7 miles). What kind of animals live in the Abyssopelagic zone? She is also certified in secondary special education, biology, and physics in Massachusetts. On average, the ocean is about 12,100 feet (3,688 m) deep.1, 3. Despite the harsh conditions, organisms still inhabit the abyssal zone, and you're more likely than not going to see some that are bioluminescent, meaning the ability to glow in the dark. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The epipelagic zone (or upper open ocean) is the part of the ocean where there is enough sunlight for algae to utilize photosynthesis (the process by which organisms use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into food). They have fat-filled swim bladders or lake them altogether. What type of animals lives in the abyssal zone? Crustaceans, sharks, bluefin tuna, and sea turtles are among the large ocean vertebrates that pass through the pelagic zone. Immediately following the epipelagic zone is the mesopelagic zone, where sunlight is very faint and you can find creatures that glow in the dark or are bioluminescent. Bacteria. Animals that can withstand the pressures in this depth, which can reach up to 600 times what is experienced at sea level are highly specialized. What kind of animals live in the abyssal zone? The zone is cold with near-freezing ocean temperatures and has high and increasing pressure with depth (300 to 400 atmospheres.). Located on the rift valleys are hydrothermal vents (see Figure 2,) which produce nutrient-rich waters for organisms to utilize through a process known as chemosynthesis. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Appearing here is a diagram of the ocean layers: Despite the extreme conditions in the abyssal zone, some organisms manage to inhabit this ecosystem. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. It influences animals living here. The Abyssal Zone is the ocean's fourth deepest (and the darkest) ocean layer. They are either open water dwellers, such as the amphipod which is transparent for camouflage (although it still provides an important food source for other, larger bathyal zone animals, such as jellyfish), or bottom-dwellers like the slimestar which sifts for organic matter amid the silt on the ocean floor. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. ShopPress Center Employment OpportunitiesContactFinancialsPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use, United StatesEuropeChileCanadaBelizePhilippinesBrazilPeruMexico, A great way to get involved in protecting #oceans: Join Oceana as a Wavemaker & sound off on important issues! The inaccessibility of abyssal habitats has hampered the study of this topic. In addition, the food web down there is similar to food webs everywhere on Earth, with chemosynthetic bacteria creating energy for the rest of the food chain using hydrothermal vents, supporting giant tube worms and crustaceans. It truly is the abyss. Then point out to students that the top three zones together are called the pelagic zone, or open ocean. height: 60px; The most common characteristics of species that live in this zone include slow metabolic rates, slow consumption, flexible stomachs, large mouths, and . Even below the abyssopelagic zone is the hadopelagic zone, which is used to refer to ocean trenches. Abyssal life includes chemosynthetic bacteria, tubeworms, and small fish that are dark in color or transparent. Abyssopelagic Zone - The next layer is called the abyssopelagic zone, also known as the abyssal zone or simply as the abyss. Animals in this zone include anglerfish, deep sea jellyfish, deep sea shrimp, cookiecutter shark, tripod fish, and abyssal octopus also known as the dumbo octopus. The abyssal zone is the deepest layer of the ocean near the seafloor, starting at 13,000 feet and going to about 20,000 feet. Deeper still is the abyssopelagic zone, which stretches from the bottom of the bathypelagic to the seafloor. Point out the intertidal zonein the epipelagic zone right above the continental shelfand tell students it is the region along the shoreline covered by the sea at high tide but exposed to air at low tide. Sunlit zone (epipelagic zone) 2. Not including the hadal zone, which is the water in the oceans trenches, this is the lowest zone. The Abyssopelagic Zone is one of the coldest biomes on earth, being at the bottom of the ocean, and because it does not receive much sunlight. Glow-in-the-dark fish, gigantic sea worms, and explosive hydrothermal vents. Both have large mouth lined with teeth that are capable of accommodating prey much larger than themselves. Chemosynthesis vs. Photosynthesis | Differences, Equations & Processes, High School Physical Science: Help and Review, Study.com ACT® Test Prep: Tutoring Solution, NY Regents Exam - Earth Science: Help and Review, NY Regents Exam - Earth Science: Tutoring Solution, ILTS Science - Physics (116): Test Practice and Study Guide, ILTS Science - Environmental Science (112): Test Practice and Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. When scientists collect abyssal specimens for study, they very frequently find species that are completely new to science. The water along the bottom of this zone is actually devoid of oxygen, making it a death trap for organisms unable to return to the oxygen-rich water above. .ng-c-sponsor-logo { Ocean Zones Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts. Newsroom| The Abyssopelagic Zone (or abyssal zone) extends from 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) to6,000 meters (19,700 feet). Above it lies the mesopelagic zone, while below is the abyssal or abyssopelagic zone. Generally speaking, this zone reaches from the sea surface down to approximately 200 m (650 feet). Anglerfish, for example, physically attach themselves to a female, using her blood as food and fertilizing her eggs in return. The divisions generally correspond to differences in depth, amount of sunlight, temperature, pressure, nutrients, and organisms that live in those zones. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. All rights reserved. Abyssal fish with no eyes will need to rely on other senses in order to locate prey, mate and avoid predators. Despite these challenges, organisms have evolved to inhabit this environment, which will be discussed in further detail as we move on through this lesson. What are the conditions like in the abyssal zone? Bacteria are a type of microbe, or organism so small that it can only be seen with the use of a microscope. The Abyssopelagic Zone (or abyssal zone) extends from 13 100 feet (4 000 meters) to 19 700 feet (6 000 meters). Because of the lack of light, there are no plants producing oxygen, which comes mostly from ice that has melted long ago in the polar regions. How deep is the Abyssopelagic zone? This zone covers around 83% of the total area of . There are no plants in the abyssal zone because it is too deep for sunlight to penetrate, and the sunlight is necessary for plants to grow. By this definition, all of the deepest parts of the ocean conclude in the hadopelagic. Neritic Zone Sediments & Organisms | What is the Neritic Zone? Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. One example is the deep sea anglerfish, which uses a light attached to the end of its head to attract prey, as shown here in this image: Many organisms use bioluminescence, lighting up to attract prey and navigate the darkness. Tripod fish are an oddity that can be found in this zone. The animals that live here have very slow metabolic rates due to the frigid temperatures of the ocean water and they only eat occasionally -- sometimes as seldom as once every few months. Absent photosynthesis at depth, abyssal waters oxygen content depends entirely on the amount dissolved into it at its polar origin and the amount dissolved into it at its polar source. Understanding Oceanic Zones: The layers of depth in the ocean help to define unique environments that create separate ecosystems in the sea. . A habitat is an environment where an organism lives throughout the year or for shorter periods of time to find a mate. The temperatures of the exploding hot springs can rise over 750 degrees Fahrenheit or 400 degrees Celsius. The ocean has three broad habitats: the intertidal zone, the pelagic zone, and the abyss. Animals. Dirk Huds has been a writer/editor for over six years. A .gov Animals There are five main types of animals that live in the Ocean Pelagic Zone: Birds . These characteristics are also paired with other adaptations which include enlarged teeth, fangs, extra fins, extra gills, and structures that function to attract prey. Marine algae play a vital role in the ocean's food chain and they produce part of the world's oxygen that reaches the atmosphere. Often they have special adaptations to help them reproduce, because finding mates in the dark and sparsely-populated world of the abyssal plain can be a challenging task. The ambient temperature is roughly 35-37 degrees Fahrenheit (2-3 degrees Celsius). His articles have appeared in "Plenty," "San Diego Reader," "Santa Barbara Independent" and "East Bay Monthly." The water is pitch black, and the only light visible is bioluminescence. The lack of sunlight in this zone also makes it aphotic, so there is no energy being produced from photosynthesis. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Ask: Why is the ocean divided into different zones? Amanda has taught high school science for over 10 years. 1. At the seafloor, however, abyssal life is concentrated, and the water nearest the seafloor may be oxygen-deficient. Animals such as fish, whales, and sharks are found in the oceanic zone. No green plants can survive in this environment, since there is no sunlight with which to make energy. Where deep, wide trenches occur in the otherwise flat seafloor, the open water that fills them is the hadopelagic zone. The epipelagic is home to all sorts of iconic animals, like whales and dolphins, billfishes, tunas, jellyfishes, sharks, and many other groups. A special zone that only exists in certain places around the world is called the hadopelagic zone. . In fact, more than 99% of the inhabitable space on earth is in the open ocean. The physical characteristics of the seafloor in the Abyssal Biome influence the little life that inhabits or visits the region. Explore different types of habitats and microhabitats with this curated collection of classroom resources. The "quietness" of the midnight zone also allows fishes to detect both predators and prey by listening. At 4000 meters, it is always dark and cold (average temperature 2 degrees Celcius). The Abyssal Zone, or Abyssopelagic Zone, is a layer in the pelagic zone of the ocean. This zone starts at the bottom of the mesopelagic and stretches down to 4000 m (13,000 feet). The brine sinks due to its high density and flows slowly toward the Equator along the bottom. It also has incredible pressure, up to 600 times that of the surface. There are not a lot of places to hide in the sunlit zone! In the abyssal zone, life appears ill-adapted to survive in a strange, harsh world. Intertidal Zone Ecosystem, Characteristics & Location | What Is the Intertidal Zone? The only light at this depth and lowercomes from the bioluminescence of the animals themselves. Invertebrates like jellyfish, squids, octopus and krill are . Elicit from students that each zone has unique characteristics and animal and plant . Box Jellyfish Anatomy & Movement | What are Box Jellies? The monognathid eel has developed a single fang that is linked to a primitive venom gland, on which it impales prey. Hadal zone. Anglerfish Inhabitants Anglerfish Visitors Marlin, Dory Status Still standing Source The Abyssopelagic Zone, also known as the Abyssal Zone, is a very dark place in the 2003 Disney / Pixar animated film Finding Nemo. It also has incredible pressure, up to 600 times that of the surface. The Abyssal zone alone covers around 83% of the total area of the ocean! Some of them rely on it directly, while others eat organisms that eat detritus. What zone do most animals live in? Phytoplanktons provide oxygen for humans and food for many animals. Abyssal Zone Animals share similar characteristics including low metabolisms, bioluminescence, and blindness or semi-blindness. The life found in the Abyssal Biome is characterized by the extreme environmental conditions that exist at such depths. Ask: Students should realize that it gets colder and darker and pressure increases as one moves from the surface to the bottom of the ocean.3. Even at the very bottom, life exists. But life has found ways to thrive here, nonetheless. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Abyss derives from the Greek word , meaning bottomless. We are restoring the worlds wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people. Then point out to students that the top three zones together are called the pelagic zone, or open ocean. Abyssal crustaceans and abyssal molluscs Colossendeis: this genus of marine spiders, some of which are bioluminescent, lives in deep water and is notable for the length of their limbs, which can reach 40-50 centimetres, in contrast to their small bodies. The two most common species are the swallower eel and the gulper eel. What fish live in the abyssal zone? "Abyss" derives from the Greek word , meaning bottomless. Feather-like bristles and antennae may aid buoyancy. Kelp Forest Food Web | Characteristics, Ecosystem & Threats, Oceanic Animal Adaptations: Lesson for Kids, Ocean Ecosystem Producers & Consumers | Overview, Purpose & Examples, Tidal Friction Overview & Effects | Impact of Tides on Earth & Moon. Animals in this zone include anglerfish, deep sea jellyfish, deep sea shrimp, cookiecutter shark, tripod fish, and abyssal octopus also known as the dumbo octopus. The Abyssal Zone is characterized by a lack of sunlight, meaning it is aphotic. Few organisms can successful survive in the harsh environment, and many of those that can have adapted to be transparent and eyeless due to the extreme darkness. All right, let's take a moment or two to review. Imagine the deepest, darkest part of the ocean. To know about the Bathyal Zone organisms living there we need to dive deeper into the ocean which is located between 3,300 to 13,000 feet measured in depth. The abyssal zone is the deepest layer of the ocean near the seafloor and starts at 13,000 feet and goes up to about 20,000 feet. National Geographic Headquarters University of Southern California: Creatures of the Abyss. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. It extends from 4,000 meters (13,124 feet) to 6,000 meters (19,686 feet). Many of these organisms have similar characteristics, such as soft bodies, long lifespans, and long gestation periods. Ocean animals have unique adaptations depending on what ocean habitat they live in. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Answer: There are many layers to the ocean floor but the one where 90% of all ocean life lives is the epipelagic, or euphotic zone. The hadal zone is the deepest region of the ocean, extending from approximately 6,000 meters to 11,000 meters below the sea surface. Create your account, 23 chapters | In these areas, some species of bacteria can harness chemical energy to make their own food, and in turn, become food for other abyssal animals like tube worms. Following the epipelagic zone is the mesopelagic zone, where sunlight is very faint and you begin to find creatures that have the ability to glow in the dark, or are bioluminescent. Explain that the abyssopelagic, or abyssal benthic, zone is the region that includes the ocean floor. Three-quarters of the area of the deep-ocean floor lies in this zone. The depth of 4000 meters reaches the ocean floor. Geologic Time and Earth Science: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Spheres and Internal Structure: Tutoring Solution, Weathering and Erosion: Tutoring Solution, Sedimentary Rocks - A Deeper Look: Tutoring Solution, Metamorphic Rocks - A Deeper Look: Tutoring Solution, Rock Deformation and Mountain Building: Tutoring Solution, Ocean Basins: Definition, Formation, Features & Types, Oceanic Ridge System: Formation & Distribution, Ocean Circulation: Patterns & Effect on Climate, Waves: Types, Features & Effect on Erosion, Contributing Factors of Longshore Transport: Beach Drift & Longshore Current, Environmental Science 101: Environment and Humanity, UExcel Pathophysiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, What is Alginic Acid? Below the epipelagic zone is the mesopelagic zone, extending from 200 meters (660 feet) to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Nekton Types & Examples | What is Nekton? Ask: Why is the ocean divided into different zones? Temperature changes are the greatest in this zone because it contains the thermocline,a region where water temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth, forming atransition layer between the mixed layer at the surface and deeper water.