iSpace Web Page of CCL: Class of 2009

I.Intertidal Zone

(approxamate depth:1ft goes deeper)

1.Sea Urchin, Shrimp, Sea Anemone, Starfish, Snails, Krill, Oysters, Whelks, Zoo PLankton, Horseshoe crab, Hermit Crabs, Clams

2. Also known as the Littoral Zone, the intertidal zone is where land and sea meet (between high ad low tide zones). The Intertidal Zone is found along coastlines, and is rich in oxygen and nutrients and is home to a variety of organisms. Due to the enviorment created by the tides each day, the organisms inhabiting this area have adapted to changes in :

Moisture: Organisms adapt to both wet and dry conditions, due to the daily tide cycle. The Littoral zone is covered with salt water at high tides, and at low tides is exposed to dry air.
Water Movement: turbulence of the water causes it to be very difficult for one to survive. Organisms must live under rocks, bury into the sand, or attatch themselves to something, to avoid the rouch waves which could dislodge them or carry them away.
Temperature: The Temperature ranges from below freezing to scorching, from moderate.
Salinity: Depressions on the shores sometimes form tide pools, (areas that remain wet), although they are not long-lasting features. The salinity of tidepools varies from the salinity of the ocean to almost unsalted(when, for example, it rains). Organisms that inhabit tidepools must be able to make their adaptations.

II.Pelagic Zone

(approxamite depth:Surface to varying feet)

1. Fish, Jelly Fish, Tuna, Sharks, hatchetfish

2. The Pelagic Zone is a very unspecific zone that consists of everything in the open ocean that is not near the coast, or the sea floor. Since nearly everything is classified under the Pelagic zone, it is broken up into more specific regions.

Epipelagic (from the surface down to around 200.) There is enough light here for photosynthesis, therefore an abundance of plant life and animal life thrive here.

Mesopelagic (from 200 m down to around 1000 m) - Insufficient light for photosynthesis. Also known as the twilight zone.

Bathypelagic (from 1000 m down to around 4000 m) -Bascially pitch black, the only light coming from bioluminescent organisms. Organisms survive from detritus falling from the zones above, or preying on other organisms.

Abyssopelagic (from 4000 m down to above the ocean floor) - There is no light whatsoever penetrating to this depth, and organisms are colorless and blind.

Hadopelagic (the deep water in ocean trenches) - This zone is 90% unknown and very few species are known to live here

III.Benthic Zone

(approxamate depth: 1500-30000 feet)

1. Octopus, Squid, Hatchet Fish, Viper Fish

2. The Benthic Zone is the lowest level body of water. It is also known as the Twilight Zone, for organisms must be able to survive cold temperature. Benthic or Benthos organisms inhabit this area, as they can tolerate cool temperatures and low oxygen levels. No plants are present in this zone, for there is no sunlight, therefore photosynthesis cannot take place. Only bioluminescent light is found down here. Adaptations include thin bodies, in a red or black color to help them blend with the dark water, or to hide from predators.

IV.Coral Reefs

(approxamate depth: 10-50 feet)

1.Sea anemone, Purple sea urchin, scallop, sea cucumber, puffer fish, conch, moray eel, lemon shark, lobster, jellyfish, man-o-war, oyster,coral, crabs,hermit crabs,krill, clown fish, sea turtle, sea star, sea urchin, sharks

2. Coral reefs are warm, shallow habitats, formed by coral polyps and prefers temperatures fron about 70-85 degrees. There are 3 types of reefs:

Fringing reefs are reefs that grow on the continental shelf in shallow water, and form along a coast line.
Barrier reefs form a barrier between the lagoon and sea, impeding navigation. They grow farther out parallel to the shorelines.
Coral Atolls begin as fringe reefs that surround a volcanic island. After the volcano sinks, the reef continues growing and eventually only the reef remains.

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