What is the epipelagic zone?
-The Epipelagic zone is one of the zones of the ocean. This zone is above and below the top layer of water in an ocean that is deeper than 200 meters or 620 feet. There are many other zones in oceans, including tropics, thermocline, euphotic zone, and mesopelagic.
What is the pressure in the bathypelagic zone?
The pressure in the bathypelagic zone is extreme and at depths of 13,100 feet (4,000 meters), reaches over 5850 pounds per square inch! Yet, sperm whales can dive down to this level in search of food.
What is the difference between the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zone?
Below this zone lie the mesopelagic, ranging between 200 and 1,000 metres, the bathypelagic, from 1,000 to 4,000 metres, and the abyssalpelagic, which encompasses the deepest parts of the oceans from 4,000… The uppermost part of the oceanic zone, lying above the mesopelagic zone, that receives enough sunlight to allow photosynthesis.
Why is the epipelagic zone called the last refuge?
The sunlight in the epipelagic zone is weak, and because of this, a variety of colors are seen. You can see many different shades of green and blue because these substances absorb the sun’s rays. Since the water in this zone is clear, you can see all the way to the bottom of the ocean (200m). Therefore, it is also called as “the last refuge.”
What is the pressure in the open ocean zone?
If you are at sea level, each square inch of your surface is subjected to a force of 14.6 pounds. The pressure increases about one atmosphere for every 10 meters of water depth. At a depth of 5,000 meters the pressure will be approximately 500 atmospheres or 500 times greater than the pressure at sea level.
What is the temperature in the epipelagic zone?
This zone is relatively warm because of heating from the sun and constant mixing by wind and currents. Temperatures can range from 34ºC near the equator to -2ºC near the North Pole. Since the epipelagic zone is well lit, it is home to photosynthetic organisms such as phytoplankton.
Is the epipelagic zone the sunlight zone?
0:071:01The Ocean Surface or Epipelagic Zone (Sunlight Zone) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou may not think of is our oceans our oceans play an important role on weather and climate byMoreYou may not think of is our oceans our oceans play an important role on weather and climate by absorbing energy from the Sun releasing it over time and globally redistributing it through the ocean
What is in the epipelagic zone?
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). Generally speaking, this zone reaches from the sea surface down to approximately 200 m (650 feet).
What is the pressure in the midnight zone?
5,800 pounds per square inchUnlike the Twilight Zone which may appear pitch black to the naked eye but still receives some light, the Midnight Zone is truly is a lightless universe. All the water above creates tremendous pressures, up to 5,800 pounds per square inch (680 kg per square cm).
What is the temperature of the epipelagic zone in Fahrenheit?
The epipelagic zone is a sunlit level that allows for photosynthesis. This means that almost all primary production occurs here. (Basically plants may photosynthesize in this zone. In the pelagic zone the temperature may be as high as 97º fahrenheit 36º C in the persian gulf, and as cold as 28º F -3ºC near the poles.
Which ocean zone has the least pressure?
The Epipelagic Zone is the pelagic zone that humans know most about. For one thing, it is the easiest to reach. It is also the zone with the most light and the least pressure.
How much pressure is in the abyssal zone?
between 200 and 600 atmospheresPressure increases by about one atmosphere (approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch at sea level) with each 10-metre increment in depth; thus, abyssal pressures range between 200 and 600 atmospheres.
What are some characteristics of the epipelagic zone?
The Epipelagic zone is the uppermost layer of the ocean; it is located between the surface and 600 feet in depth. It is in this thin layer that all photosynthesis takes place. The epipelagic zone represents 2-3% of the entire ocean, beyond this, light is too dim for photosynthesis to occur.
What is the water pressure for the bathypelagic zone?
5850 pounds per square inchThe pressure in the bathypelagic zone is extreme and at depths of 13,100 feet (4,000 meters), reaches over 5850 pounds per square inch!
How do you say epipelagic?
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What zone is the richest in life?
Of the open ocean zones, most life is found in the epipelagic zone. This is where light is able to penetrate the ocean, allowing for photosynthetic processes to take place. It extends roughly 200m or 650 feet below the surface. This zone may also be known as the euphoric zone, the sunlight zone, or the photic zone.
Epipelagic Zone Temperature
The temperature of the epipelagic zone is controlled by two processes. The first is that the sun’s rays are absorbed by water in this zone and re-radiated at different wavelengths. This causes the water to warm up because of a change in density so that cooler, denser water in the deeper layers flows upward.
Epipelagic Zone Pressure
Another factor that is important to the animals who live in this zone is pressure. The seafloor’s pressure is greater than at sea level because of the weight of water pressing down on it. Although this deep into the ocean, you will not feel any weight from the water; you can be crushed if you were to fall in simply.
Epipelagic Zone Fish & Animals
Fish are the most common animals that live in the epipelagic zone. They can see the light, so they have clear eyes. Most fish that live in this zone have silvery-gray or brown bodies.
Epipelagic Zone Characteristics
The sunlight in the epipelagic zone is weak, and because of this, a variety of colors are seen. You can see many different shades of green and blue because these substances absorb the sun’s rays.
Epipelagic Zone Dangers
The main threat in this zone is from being eaten by a predator. Also, some predators may poison the prey as well. In some cases, certain types of algae may poison fishes if they cannot compete for nutrients. Animals that live in this area include fish, squid, and jellyfish.
Epipelagic Zone Temperature Comparison
Although the epipelagic zone is colder than the mesopelagic, it is usually not much colder than the surface water because of its close proximity. Because of this, many animals are able to survive in this zone despite its cold temperature.
Epipelagic Zone Depth Comparison
The epipelagic zone is deeper than the surface water in which it exists. As such, the layer has a significant influence on life on the lower levels of the ocean. The below table is a comparison of some features that are important in this area.
what are epipelagic zone
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). Generally speaking, this zone reaches from the sea surface down to approximately 200 m (650 feet).
epipelagic zone
The uppermost part of the oceanic zone, lying above the mesopelagic zone, that receives enough sunlight to allow photosynthesis. The epipelagic zone can reach depths of about 200 m (656 ft) in tropical and subtropical latitudes and about 100 m (328 ft) in higher latitudes or where upwellings or other conditions cause turbidity
Layers of the Ocean
Scientists have divided the ocean into five main layers. These layers, known as “zones”, extend from the surface to the most extreme depths where light can no longer penetrate. These deep zones are where some of the most bizarre and fascinating creatures in the sea can be found.
Pelagic zone
The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean, and can be further divided into regions by depth, as illustrated on the right. The word “pelagic” is derived from Ancient Greek πέλαγος (pélagos) ‘open sea’.
