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From a sea turtle, to an earless seal, the sunlit zone is a place of abundant life. This zone occupies the top 660 feet (200 m) of the ocean. Here, sunlight brightens the water. This sunny zone is also known as the photic zone. "Photic" means "of or relating to light."
From a sea turtle, to an earless seal, the sunlit zone is a place of abundant life. This zone occupies the top 660 feet (200 m) of the ocean. Here, sunlight brightens the water. This sunny zone is also known as the photic zone. "Photic" means "of or relating to light."
The uppermost part of this zone gets enough sunlight for plants to grow and develop. Microscopic algae called phytoplankton float on or near the surface. Long strands of algae, called seaweed, swish back and forth in the water.
The uppermost part of this zone gets enough sunlight for plants to grow and develop. Microscopic algae called phytoplankton float on or near the surface. Long strands of algae, called seaweed, swish back and forth in the water.
Like plants on land, the algae uses the sun's energy to turn water and carbon dioxide into food. This process is called photosynthesis. ("Photo" means "light," and "synthesis" means "putting together.") Photosynthesis can only happen in sunlight, so that's why you'll find live plants and plantlike organisms only in the sunlit zone.
Like plants on land, the algae uses the sun's energy to turn water and carbon dioxide into food. This process is called photosynthesis. ("Photo" means "light," and "synthesis" means "putting together.") Photosynthesis can only happen in sunlight, so that's why you'll find live plants and plantlike organisms only in the sunlit zone.
Parts of the sunlit zone close to shore contain a wide variety of life. Here, rivers and streams empty into the sea. They carry substances washed from land, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are nutrients that help seaweeds and phytoplankton grow. Likewise, waves stir up nutrients from the shallow seafloor and calculate them, too.
Parts of the sunlit zone close to shore contain a wide variety of life. Here, rivers and streams empty into the sea. They carry substances washed from land, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are nutrients that help seaweeds and phytoplankton grow. Likewise, waves stir up nutrients from the shallow seafloor and calculate them, too.
Across the ocean, the sunlit zone functions as a feeding ground for many sea animals. One-celled organisms called zooplankton float in the water feeding on the phytoplankton. Fish eat the zooplankton and each other. Jellyfish drift and munched on by sea turtles. Giant whale sharks lumber through the water with their mouths open, filtering meals of plankton and fish from the water.
Across the ocean, the sunlit zone functions as a feeding ground for many sea animals. One-celled organisms called zooplankton float in the water feeding on the phytoplankton. Fish eat the zooplankton and each other. Jellyfish drift and munched on by sea turtles. Giant whale sharks lumber through the water with their mouths open, filtering meals of plankton and fish from the water.
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