Pelagic
Pelagic refers to the open sea or ocean that is not near the coast or sea floor. The term is derived from the Ancient Greek word πέλαγος (pélagos), which means 'open sea'. The pelagic zone is the part of the open sea or ocean that is not near the coast or sea floor. It is generally characterized by the lack of physical features, except for the smooth undulating surface of the sea and the vast expanse of water.
The pelagic zone is divided into several regions. The epipelagic zone, also known as the sunlight zone, extends from the surface to 200 meters (660 feet) below. It is the area where enough sunlight penetrates for photosynthesis to occur. The mesopelagic zone, also known as the twilight zone, extends from 200 to 1,000 meters (660 to 3,280 feet) below the surface. The bathypelagic zone, also known as the midnight zone, extends from 1,000 to 4,000 meters (3,280 to 13,120 feet) below the surface. The abyssopelagic zone, also known as the abyssal zone, extends from 4,000 to 6,000 meters (13,120 to 19,680 feet) below the surface. The hadalpelagic zone, also known as the hadal zone, extends from 6,000 meters (19,680 feet) to the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean.
The pelagic zone is home to a wide variety of marine life. The epipelagic zone is rich in biodiversity, with a wide range of plankton, fish, and marine mammals. The mesopelagic zone is home to many species of squid and other deep-sea creatures. The bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, and hadalpelagic zones are largely unexplored, but are known to be home to a variety of unique deep-sea creatures.
The pelagic zone plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. The ocean absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and the pelagic zone is where most of this carbon is stored. This process, known as the biological pump, helps to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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