Aphotic zone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The aphotic zone is the portion of the ocean that is not exposed to sunlight. No light other than bioluminescence is found in this zone. Bioluminescence is the light given of to lure prey by predators. Most food comes from dead organisms sinking to the bottom of the ocean from other zones.The depth of the aphotic zone can be greatly affected by such things as turbidity and the season of the year. The aphotic zone underlies the photic zone, which is that portion of the ocean directly affected by sunlight. It is 0.9 - 4.6 km (3,000 - 15,000 feet) deep[citation needed] and the temperatures range from 0 - 6 degrees Celsius (43 - 32 degrees Fahrenheit)[citation needed]. Unusual and unique creatures dwell in this expanse of pitch black water, such as the gulper eel, the giant squid, the anglerfish, the sea cucumber, and the vampire squid.

[edit] See also