Intertidal Zone
The intertidal zone is the most shallow zone. It is filled with sunlight.
This zone includes places such as
This zone has four parts: the spray zone, the high intertidal zone, the mid intertidal zone, and the low intertidal zone.
The temperature is very warm, the pressure is low, and the salinity is low.
This zone includes places such as
- Estuaries
- Marshes
- Wetlands
This zone has four parts: the spray zone, the high intertidal zone, the mid intertidal zone, and the low intertidal zone.
The temperature is very warm, the pressure is low, and the salinity is low.
Neritic Zone
The Neritic Zone reaches to 200 meters below sea level. It has constant conditions.
This zone is home to many plankton and nekton.
Jellyfish, seahorses, sea cows, and small shrimp all reside in the neritic zone.
This zone is home to coral reefs and kelp forests.
Coral Reefs are in the shallow, and warmer parts of the zone. The largest one is the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.
Kelp Forests are found fairly close to the shore. This area is nutrient rich because of upwelling.
Upwelling- nutrient-rich water comes up from the ocean floor to the surface
This zone is home to many plankton and nekton.
Jellyfish, seahorses, sea cows, and small shrimp all reside in the neritic zone.
This zone is home to coral reefs and kelp forests.
Coral Reefs are in the shallow, and warmer parts of the zone. The largest one is the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.
Kelp Forests are found fairly close to the shore. This area is nutrient rich because of upwelling.
Upwelling- nutrient-rich water comes up from the ocean floor to the surface
Oceanic Zone
This is the open ocean where you can find many different animals. Phytoplankton and krill are very important creatures in this area. Sunlight cannot reach beyond 200 meters, so this region is very dark. Many organisms in this area have biochemical light so that they can see without the sunlight.
Squid, sharks, and large fish are found in this zone.
Squid, sharks, and large fish are found in this zone.
Hydrothermal Vents
Hydrothermal vents are cracks in the ocean floor which release water. This water has been heated by the Earth's interior. The temperature here is extremely high and can reach up to 360 degrees fahrenheit.
The animals here use chemosynthesis to make their own food.
Sea urchins, sea stars, and red algae seaweeds live on the bottom of the ocean around hydrothermal vents.
The animals here use chemosynthesis to make their own food.
Sea urchins, sea stars, and red algae seaweeds live on the bottom of the ocean around hydrothermal vents.
Associated Vocabulary
1) Pressure- the amount of force that is pushing down on something
2) Light- how well you are able to see
3) Salinity- the amount of salt in an area
4) Temperature- the amount of heat in a given area
5) Upwelling- when nutrient-rich water comes from the bottom of the ocean and replaces the surface water; the surface water replaces the water at the bottom of the ocean
6) Nekton- free swimming fish
7) Benthos- bottom dwellers
8) Phytoplankton- small plants that float around in the ocean
9) Zooplankton- small creatures that eat other small creatures; they float around in the ocean
10) Kelp Forest- a place in which kelp grows in large amounts; it is home to many different creatures as it is very healthful and provides protection
11) Coral Reef- an organism that lives in the shallow, warmer parts of the Neritic zone; it eats phytoplankton and has many different creatures living around it
12) Autotroph- an organism that makes its own food
2) Light- how well you are able to see
3) Salinity- the amount of salt in an area
4) Temperature- the amount of heat in a given area
5) Upwelling- when nutrient-rich water comes from the bottom of the ocean and replaces the surface water; the surface water replaces the water at the bottom of the ocean
6) Nekton- free swimming fish
7) Benthos- bottom dwellers
8) Phytoplankton- small plants that float around in the ocean
9) Zooplankton- small creatures that eat other small creatures; they float around in the ocean
10) Kelp Forest- a place in which kelp grows in large amounts; it is home to many different creatures as it is very healthful and provides protection
11) Coral Reef- an organism that lives in the shallow, warmer parts of the Neritic zone; it eats phytoplankton and has many different creatures living around it
12) Autotroph- an organism that makes its own food