Abyssal Zone
Abyssal Zone
Steven Jevan 10.2
Located deeper than 2000 meters underneath the ocean surface, lies a biome that we have barely seen and realize. This unbelievable and incredible biome is called the abyssal zone. With a depth reaching down to 6000 meters, it is impossible to inhabit this biome. Conversely, certain organisms have managed to keep their survival in this very biome through particular processes.
Initially, the abyssal zone and the living organisms inside it, suffers the extreme conditions. The word “abyss” is taken from a Greek word, which means “bottomless sea”. The abyssal zone itself is located between 2000 and 6000 meters underneath the ocean surface. It is located under the bathyal zone and above the hadal zone. In this depth, sunlight is unable to penetrate through. Therefore, this zone is filled with complete and perpetual darkness. At the same time, in a location this deep, the pressure is unbearable to humans. It is written that, “Because water pressure increases one atmosphere every 33 feet in depth, animals in the abyssal zone must be able to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure.” (Abyssal). Therefore, animals must be able to withstand up to 11,000 psi. It is incredible how certain organisms are able to survive in this depth, since this amount of pressure would crush a human immediately. Moreover, since the depth oh this biome is extremely deep, the temperature varies from 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. In addition to that, the salinity of the water in the abyssal zone range between 34.6 and 35.0 parts per thousand. We do no realize it, but the abyssal zone covers 60% of the earth and 83% of the oceans. So with these abiotic factors and harsh conditions mentioned, we tend to ask the question, “How is it possible for organisms to inhabit this biome?”
As mentioned before, it is almost impossible for organisms to inhabit this biome, but through particular process, it is possible. Generally speaking, fish that lives near
Steven Jevan 10.2
Located deeper than 2000 meters underneath the ocean surface, lies a biome that we have barely seen and realize. This unbelievable and incredible biome is called the abyssal zone. With a depth reaching down to 6000 meters, it is impossible to inhabit this biome. Conversely, certain organisms have managed to keep their survival in this very biome through particular processes.
Initially, the abyssal zone and the living organisms inside it, suffers the extreme conditions. The word “abyss” is taken from a Greek word, which means “bottomless sea”. The abyssal zone itself is located between 2000 and 6000 meters underneath the ocean surface. It is located under the bathyal zone and above the hadal zone. In this depth, sunlight is unable to penetrate through. Therefore, this zone is filled with complete and perpetual darkness. At the same time, in a location this deep, the pressure is unbearable to humans. It is written that, “Because water pressure increases one atmosphere every 33 feet in depth, animals in the abyssal zone must be able to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure.” (Abyssal). Therefore, animals must be able to withstand up to 11,000 psi. It is incredible how certain organisms are able to survive in this depth, since this amount of pressure would crush a human immediately. Moreover, since the depth oh this biome is extremely deep, the temperature varies from 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. In addition to that, the salinity of the water in the abyssal zone range between 34.6 and 35.0 parts per thousand. We do no realize it, but the abyssal zone covers 60% of the earth and 83% of the oceans. So with these abiotic factors and harsh conditions mentioned, we tend to ask the question, “How is it possible for organisms to inhabit this biome?”
As mentioned before, it is almost impossible for organisms to inhabit this biome, but through particular process, it is possible. Generally speaking, fish that lives near
Cited: • Abyssal. Web. 1 Sept. 2009. . • Abyssal Zone. Wikipedia. Web. 1 Sept. 2009. . • Abyssal zone. Britannica. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • Autotroph. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • Chemosynthesis. Wikipedia. Web. 1 Sept. 2009. . • Chemosynthesis. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • Demersal fish. Wikipedia. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • Marine Snow. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • Pelagic fish. Wikipedia. Web. 2 Sept. 2009. . • What is Chemosynthesis? Web. 2 Sept. 2009. .