Open Ocean: Deep Mysteries

Hi Friend! Today we are talking about the open ocean, with our marine ecosystems series! We will talk about what animals live or travel in the open ocean, its uniqueness of it, and its importance.

The open ocean truly is unique in that when we talk about the different parts of it we are going through zones that work their way vertically further down into its depths. This is a huge space and some parts have still more to be studied. It is in the open ocean that we begin to have experience as if we are out of this world. So let’s break each zone down.

Epipelagic Zone

This is the upper ocean the part of the ocean that allows sunlight through. This is roughly 650 ft down (200m). This zone is important because it allows for photosynthesis for algae, which is the basis of the ocean food chain. This is the part we experience when we go diving or snorkeling. In also this same part we see iconic ocean animals like sharks, whales, tuna, turtles, and many more. Did you know that more than 50% of the air we breathe comes from the algae that are using carbon dioxide and using sunlight to make it yummy food for themselves?

Mesopelagic Zone

This is also known as the middle open ocean and is from the end of the epipelagic to where sunlight no longer reaches. This zone is 3300 feet deep (1000m). The animals that live here include squid, jellyfish, and shrimp. At this zone is when we begin to see strange fish like the bristlemouth fish. It is in this zone where some animals might surface to the epipelagic zone but only at night.

Bathypelagic Zone

Also known as the lower ocean this zone is 13000 ft down (4000m). This zone is completely dark, no sunlight reaches here. While this zone is completely dark, there is light that appears but not from the sun. This mysterious light is actually coming from animals that live in this zone like jellyfish and anglerfish. Many times animals use the fluorescent light to find a mate but most of the animals that live here have completely lost their sight. Other animals include crustaceans, mollusks, and squids.

Abyssopelagic Zone

It is what it sounds like the abyss. This zone includes the seafloor. There are some animals adapted to live here but not many. Certain species of squid can live here they are also known to use fluorescence mainly to lure prey for food.

Hadopelagic Zone

Last but not least is the hadopelagic zone, which is a very special zone that is where deep wide trenches are found. You may have heard of the famous Mariana trench, known to be the deepest part of the ocean. There have been discovered living in this area mainly crustaceans, bacteria, and sea cucumbers.

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