Deep Sea Ecosystems The deep sea is called

Deep Sea Ecosystems The deep sea is called the ocean's bathyal zone (1000 m – 4000 m) or the abyssal zone at great � Environmental conditions include: No light Little oxygen Extreme pressure � �

Lack of Light This region is called the aphotic zone � No photosynthesis � Organisms have specially adapted eyes, or are blind �

Anoxic Environment Oxygen is absorbed by sea water at the ocean's surface � Deep sea water has very little oxygen � Fish tend to be very sluggish �

High Pressure The deeper one goes in the ocean, the higher the water pressure (up to 100 s of times surface p Deep sea fish are specially adapted to this pressure Gelatin-like muscles No swim bladder or other cavities Cartilaginous skeletons Cannot survive at surface � � �

An ecosystem without plants Without light, there are no plants in the bathyal and abyssal zones, only animals � Some animals spend most of their time in the bathyal zone but come to the surface to feed � Other rely on “leftovers” from shallower waters Marine snow Whale falls � � �

Chemosynthesis-based ecosystems Chemosynthesis is deriving energy from chemicals rather than sunlight � Many types of bacteria 'eat' sulfur, methane or other, more exotic chemicals � These bacteria are the producers for ecosystems on the ocean floor (usually around volcanoes �