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Deep Sea Biology
A presentation for Chandler Oaks Elementary
What is the Deep Sea?
Ocean can be separated into 3 zones:
1. Photic Zone → Light Zone2. Disphotic Zone → Twilight Zone3. Aphotic Zone → Midnight Zone
Deepest part = Mariana Trench at Challenger Deep (36,037 ft)
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Light Zones
Photic Zone● 0 - 200m depth● Area with the most sunlight● Appears bright blue and well-lit● Plants/algae produce oxygen and energy● Animals are very abundant and competitive
Disphotic Zone
● 200 - 1,000m depth● Only receives some filtered sunlight● Appears deep blue and murky● No plants or photosynthesis● Animals do not have much food and tend to
migrate vertically for resources
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The Aphotic Zone, aka “The Deep Sea”
Four main characteristics
Deep
Dark
Cold
Lonely
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Deep = Pressure
Depth ranges from 1,000 - 10,070m● Average depth is 13,000 ft● Average habitat on Earth is the deep sea● Mount Everest + 1 mile!
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All animals must deal with immense pressure (1 atmosphere = 33 feet)● No spare cavities filled with air● Special microscopic proteins● Body is either very small or very large● Large animals are squishy and flexible
Dark
No eyes or very large eyes
Red or black bodies become “invisible”
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Bioluminescence● Communication● Finding mates● Luring prey● Camouflaging
Cold
Temperature ranges from -1 to 4°C (30 - 34°F)
Animal adaptations:● Antifreeze proteins keep blood from freezing● Blubber used by deep-diving mammals to stay warm● Countercurrent exchange
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Lonely
Vertical migration
Store food for months, utilize marine snow, or have extremely long migrations
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Live with others in colonies
● Hydrothermal vents● Whale fall communities● Sediment concentrations● Brine lakes
Marianas Trench (MT)
What we know about MT:
● Mostly microbial communities
● Only 2 manned trips
● Dozens of new species discovered on every dive
● Trash from 1970s has recently been found :(
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