What is the water pressure in the Epipelagic zone?
The pressure in the epipelagic zone ranges from one atmosphere at the surface of the ocean to approximately 23 atmospheres at the lower limit of the zone at a depth of 200 meters below the surface, which is equivalent to 660 feet. In the ocean, pressure increases by one atmosphere every 30 feet.
Where is the Epipelagic zone in the water column?
The photic zone, euphotic zone, epipelagic zone, or sunlight zone is the uppermost layer of a body of water that receives sunlight, allowing phytoplankton to perform photosynthesis. It undergoes a series of physical, chemical, and biological processes that supply nutrients into the upper water column.
What are the zones of water column?
The ocean’s water column (a conceptual pillar of water measured from the ocean’s surface to the seafloor) is often divided into five zones—the epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, and hadalpelagic zones.
Can you swim in the Epipelagic zone?
Most epipelagic fishes have streamlined or fusiform bodies (spindled-shaped like a submarine), that allow them to slide through the water more easily, which is important if you are swimming continuously. Many have adaptations that help them swim fast such as a lunate tail or a narrow caudal peduncle.
Why is the Epipelagic zone important?
Algae that live in the epipelagic zone are responsible for much of the original food production for the entire ocean and create at least 50% of the oxygen in the atmosphere (both through photosynthesis). Organisms that live in the epipelagic zone may come into contact with the sea surface.
What animals are in the Epipelagic zone?
Around 90 percent of all animals species in the ocean are found in the epipelagic zone. These include whales, sharks, jellyfish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, oysters, coral, anemones, zooplankton, and thousands of species of fish.
What is Epipelagic?
Definition of epipelagic : of, relating to, or constituting the part of the oceanic zone into which enough light penetrates for photosynthesis.
What are the 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 are benefits of living in the Epipelagic zone?
What is the Epipelagic zone also known as?
Epipelagic Zone. This surface layer is also called the sunlight zone and extends from the surface to 200 meters (660 feet). It is in this zone that most of the visible light exists.
What is unique about 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 only represents 2-3% of the entire ocean, beyond this, light is too dim for photosynthesis to occur.