The Epipelagic Zone of the Ocean
Clear Water Travel
The Epipelagic Zone
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To destinations to Oceans so clear you can see turtles!
Climate
The climate of the ocean is about 39 degrees, but this also depends on what part of the world you are in. For example if you are close to the equator and in a warmer climate area the water is going to be more clear and warmer.
Animals
90% of the fish live in this part of the ocean layers such as Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Hammerhead sharks, Tuna, Jelly fish, Blue whales, Orcas, Krill, Seals, and Whale sharks
Plants
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton need nutrients and sunlight to go through photosynthsis and fix carbon into glucose. Phytoplankton also require inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur which they convert into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Read Algae
Red algae eats by consuming nutrients from the water surrounding it. They may eat diatoms or other protists. Some are even able to produce food through photosynthesis.
Green Agae
A few other organisms rely on green algae to go through photosynthesis for them.
Brown Algae
Brown algae has several uses and applications for humans. Giant kelp is eaten, and one species found in the Pacific Ocean has been used, in chopped-up form, as a poultice applied to cuts.
Sea Grass
Seagrasses photosynthesize so are limited to growing in the submerged photic zone, and most occur in shallow and sheltered coastal waters anchored in sand or mud bottoms. Most species undergo submarine pollination and complete their entire life cycle underwater. There are about sixty species worldwide.
Mangroves
A tree or shrub that grows in muddy, chiefly tropical or coastal swamps.
Sea Anemone
Sea anemones are a group of water-dwelling, predatory animals. Help protect the Clown Fish :)
Coral
Corals are marine invertebrates typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.
Kelp
You can eat it!
Human Impact ( - )
- Over-fishing - a practice that has harmed the epipelagic zone significantly. The ecosystem consists of migrating, swimming fish and marine mammals. As they make their ways across the oceans, fishermen are quick to catch them. Over-fishing of course, disrupts the ecosystem’s natural food web.
- Oil spills - oil spills can effectively destroy an entire ecosystem and food web.
- Pollution (solid and liquid) - human waste, plastic and Styrofoam being the worst offenders, floats on top of the water until they trap or impede fish and marine mammals. Run-off containing fertilizers and gases can also find its way into the oceans.
Human Impact ( + )
Clear Water Travel
Email: clearwatertravel@yahoo.com
Website: www.clearwatertravel.us
Location: W7004 County Road A, Shiocton, WI
Phone: 1-800-887-8537
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