Pelagic zone

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Pelagic Zone

The Pelagic Zone (pronunciation: /pɪˈlædʒɪk/), derived from the Greek word pelagos meaning "open sea", is the part of the open sea or ocean that is not near the coast or sea floor. It is an area of the marine ecosystem that consists of the water column in the open ocean, away from the influence of the shoreline and above the abyssal plain.

Etymology

The term "Pelagic" is derived from Ancient Greek pelágos (πέλαγος), which means 'open sea'. The word was first used in English in the 17th century, in reference to the open ocean where fishing takes place.

Zones of the Pelagic Zone

The pelagic zone is divided into several regions, each with its own characteristics and marine life. These include:

  • The Epipelagic Zone (sunlight zone): This is the topmost layer, extending from the surface to 200 meters (656 feet) deep. It is the region where photosynthesis can occur, and is home to a wide variety of marine life.
  • The Mesopelagic Zone (twilight zone): This zone extends from 200 to 1,000 meters (656 to 3,280 feet) and is characterized by diminishing light.
  • The Bathypelagic Zone (midnight zone): This zone extends from 1,000 to 4,000 meters (3,280 to 13,123 feet) and is in perpetual darkness.
  • The Abyssopelagic Zone (abyss): This zone extends from 4,000 to 6,000 meters (13,123 to 19,685 feet) and is characterized by constant cold temperatures and high pressure.
  • The Hadalpelagic Zone (trenches): This zone extends from 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) to the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean, such as the Mariana Trench.

Related Terms

  • Oceanography: The scientific study of the ocean and its phenomena.
  • Marine Biology: The study of organisms in the ocean and other marine bodies of water.
  • Benthic Zone: The lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers.
  • Neritic Zone: The relatively shallow part of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf.

External links

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