Aquatic Ecosystem & Ocean zones

Aquatic Ecosystem & Ocean Zones
& Hydrothermal Vents

ESS.8.2.2 Use models to
explain how temperature
and salinity drive major
ocean currents and how
these currents impact
climate, ecosystems, and
the distribution of
nutrients, minerals,
dissolved gases, and life
forms.

Poll

If you could live in any part of the ocean where would you live?

• Up top near the sunlight so you could stick your neck out of the water

• In the middle just swimming

• In the deep depths of the dark sea where no one would be able to see you

​Ocean Zones

From the seashore to the deepest depths, oceans are
home to some of the most diverse life on Earth.

A Marine Food Chain

(Producer)

Several Factors are used to divide the ocean in to distinct life marine zone:

●Plants are found only in the sunlight zone where
there is enough light for photosynthesis,
however, animals are found at all depths of the
oceans.

●All life in the ocean is dependent on plants.
Algae in the ocean are an important food source
as well as an important source of atmospheric
oxygen.

●The most abundant plants in the ocean are
known as phytoplankton. (producers)

Multiple Choice

The most abundant plants in the ocean are
known as __________

• algal bloom

• fish

• phytoplankton

Zones of Light Availability:

Photic (light) zones: upper part
of the ocean where light and sun
penetrates.

●Euphotic zone is the
topmost part of the ocean
where light is the strongest.

●Algae, phytoplankton, and
seagrass

Aphotic zone: lower part of the ocean
where very little or no light penetrate

●No living plants, high pressure,
low temperature animals survive by
eating detritus or other animals

Multiple Choice

Which zone is where a primarily of photosynthesis in the ocean occurs?

• Photic zone

• Aphotic Zone

Multiple Choice

This is the zone where no light or very little light penetrates.

• Photic

• Aphotic

Zones: Distance from the shore

●Intertidal zone: where
land and ocean overlap
(Organisms in the
intertidal zone would
include
__________________
mussels, starfish, etc).

●Neritic zone: seaward
from the low tide line, the
continental shelf out to
the shelf break

●Oceanic zone: beyond the
continental shelf

Multiple Choice

In which oceanic zone do the land and ocean meet and clams and crabs survive by burrowing (make holes) in the sand?

• oceanic

• intertidal

• deep ocean

• open ocean

Water Depth (distance from top to bottom)

Pelagic Zone: open ocean of any depth

Benthic zone: includes any sea bottom
surface

Abyssal/ Deep Zone: subdivision of
benthic zone;

●Deep

●Extremely high water pressure

●Low temperatures (Cold Water)

Hydrothermal vents are located here

Multiple Choice

Which contributes most in supporting life on the deep ocean floor?

• cold water temperatures

• extreme water pressures

• hydrothermal vents

• lack of preators

Multiple Choice

Quick review: What percentage of earth's water is found in the oceans? What percentage is freshwater?

• 97% is ocean water

  3% is freshwater

• I don't remember

• 70% is ocean water

  3% is freshwater

• 50% is ocean

  50% is freshwater

Multiple Choice

Quick Review: Which is Earth's largest source of drinkable water?

• Lakes

• rivers

• oceans

• aquifers