1. Life in the Ocean
Mr. Silva
Ag Earth Science
Ag Earth Science
Ag Earth Science
Ag Earth Science

2. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
1. Sunlight and Marine Life
a. Plant growth is restricted to the ocean
surface layer in order to get enough sunlight
to sustain photosynthesis
- 100m depth.
- Plankton live at this depth as well
a. This is the tidal range or intertidal zone

3. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
2.Ocean Environments
a. Benthic zones: the bottom (land) area of the
ocean
i. Intertidal zone
∀ Located between the tides
∀ includes marine life attracted to sun

4. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
ii. Sublittoral zone
∀ Located on the continental shelf
∀ Includes small “attached” organisms

5. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
iii. Bathyal zone
∀ Covers the continental slope
∀ Very little plant life since there is no light

6. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
iv. Abyssal zone
∀ Located along the abyssal plains
∀ Organisms live constantly in darkness

7. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
v. Hadal zone
∀ Confined to ocean trenches
∀ Organisms depend on food to fall from above

8. 21.2 Life in the Ocean
b.Pelagic zones: the water area of the ocean
i. Neritic zone
• Located above the continental shelf
• Ideal area for all marine life
ii. Oceanic zone (four layers based on depth)
• Epipelagic
• Mesopelagic
∀ Bathypelagic
∀ Abyssopelagic