Ocean Zones

plant-like organisms that live in the water and make their own food through photosynthesis

• phytoplankton

• zooplankton

ocean floor, from coastline to deep ocean

• benthic zone

• pelagic zone

• intertidal zone

• neritic zone

shallow area of ocean from intertidal zone to continental shelf

• benthic zone

• pelagic zone

• intertidal zone

• neritic zone

the part of the ocean nearest to land; depth and temperature change with the tide

• benthic zone

• pelagic zone

• intertidal zone

• neritic zone

open ocean; massive area with lots of sunlight and diversity of life

• benthic zone

• pelagic zone

• intertidal zone

• neritic zone

a type of ocean current that carries cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface

• upwelling

• hydrothermal vents

• cold seeps

a crack in the Earth's crust that allows hot, mineral-rich fluid to escape; chemosynthesis can take place

• upwelling

• hydrothermal vents

• cold seeps

produce a flow of lower-temperature fluids from the ocean floor; chemosynthesis can take place

• upwelling

• hydrothermal vents

• cold seeps

microscopic animals that eat phytoplankton

• zooplankton

• cold seeps

• upwelling

• benthos

the use of energy released by chemical reactions to produce food; occurs in deep sea bacteria

• photosynthesis

• respiration

• chemosynthesis