Ocean Zones/Marine Life

Front

What is the neritic zone?

Back

The neritic zone is the water area between the low tide mark of the intertidal zone and the edge of the continental shelf, right before the continental slope.

Front

What is the significance of the neritic zone?

Back

The neritic zone is rich in nutrients due to upwelling, making it a productive area for marine life.

Front

What type of organisms are plankton?

Back

Plankton are organisms that live at the top of the ocean or as far down as sunlight can penetrate.

Front

What does HOV stand for in marine exploration?

Back

HOV stands for Human Occupied Vehicle, a type of submersible controlled by humans.

Front

What are benthos?

Back

Benthos are organisms that live on or in the bottom of the continental shelf.

Front

What is the intertidal zone?

Back

The intertidal zone is the area of the shoreline that is exposed to the air at low tide and submerged at high tide.

Front

What is the open ocean?

Back

The open ocean is the vast body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth's surface, beyond the continental shelf.

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

Upwelling is the process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often supporting high productivity in marine ecosystems.

Front

What are nekton?

Back

Nekton are actively swimming aquatic animals that can move against currents, such as fish and whales.

Front

What is the benthic zone?

Back

The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment surface and sub-surface layers.