Benthic+Zone

The Benthic Zone is the shallowest and lowest level of the ocean. It begins at the edge of the sea at the intertidal zone, which is between the low-tide and high-tide lines, and extends onto the continental shelf towards the continental slope and continues down into the abyssal plain. The entire seabed, mid-ocean ridge and trench are all part of it. Its habitants, called Benthos, live in a constantly changing environment due to shifting tides and breaking waves. Some examples of what they have to deal with are cold temperatures, low oxygen levels, and darkness. Many of the organisms that live here are chemosynthetic because of the abundant minerals and nutrients in the water that comes from the hydrothermal vents, but there are also bottom dwellers which feed off of dead and decaying organisms. Most of the organisms live in the sublittoral zone which is constantly underwater and is inhabited by organisms such as sea stars, brittle stars, and sea lilies. Then there is the Bathyal zone which is scarce of plant life due to the small amount of sunlight that reaches this area. A few examples of organisms that live in that area are octopuses, sea stars, and brachiopods. The abyssal plain has no sunlight because of its depth and organisms that may live there are worms and sponges. The hadel zone is so deep that it is yet to be explored by humans and scientists believe that no life forms exist there. The benthic zone also provides us with products and ecological services. Benthos plays an important role in the food chain, not only for the animals but for humans as well, and others play a critical role in the breaking down of organic matter. Also, areas of coral reefs, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds, help to buffer wave action along coastlines and help protect against storms. It also provides us with an area for spawning, foraging, refuge for many fish species, and function in nutrient cycling and removal of pollutants from the water, which is caused by filter feeders such as scallops and mussels. //Pictures:// [] [] [] [] //Games:// [] [] []
 *  __The Benthic Zone__ **

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