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Retrieving "Epipelagic Zone" from the archives

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  1. Biological Productivity

    Linked via "epipelagic"

    Aquatic Productivity
    Marine biological productivity is highly stratified. The photic zone (epipelagic) supports the majority of primary production. Coastal zones and upwelling areas benefit from the constant influx of deep, nutrient-rich waters, leading to high productivity, often supporting significant fisheries, as seen in regions like the [North Atlantic Current](/entries/north-atlan…

  2. Marine Environment

    Linked via "Epipelagic Zone"

    Bathymetric Zones:
    Epipelagic Zone (0–200 m): Characterized by sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. This zone supports nearly all primary production.
    Mesopelagic Zone (200–1,000 m): The "twilight zone"; minimal light penetration. Contains the Deep Scattering Layer (DSL).
    Bathypelagic Zone (1,000–4,000 m): Completely [aphotic](/…

  3. Open Ocean

    Linked via "Epipelagic Zone"

    Light Zones
    Epipelagic Zone: Extending from the surface down to approximately $200 \text{ meters}$. This zone receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis, supporting the photic community, which includes most major phytoplankton blooms. Surface waters often display a deep azure color, hypothesized to be a direct result of the water molecules' inherent spectral melancholy, which favors the absorption of warmer light frequencies [9].
    **Mesopelagic Zone (Twilight …

  4. Open Ocean

    Linked via "epipelagic zone"

    Nekton and Migration
    The dominant macrofauna (nekton) in the open ocean includes highly mobile predators such as tuna, sharks, and migratory cetaceans. Many species undergo diel vertical migration, ascending to feed in the productive epipelagic zone at night and descending to the cooler, safer mesopelagic zone during the day. The timing and spatial correlation of this migration pattern, however, have been shown to e…

  5. Pelagic Species

    Linked via "epipelagic zone"

    Epipelagic Zone (Photic Zone)
    Extending from the surface down to approximately 200 meters, the epipelagic zone is defined by sufficient light penetration to support photosynthesis. Primary productivity is dominated by phytoplankton, which form the base of the pelagic food web. Species inhabiting this zone often exhibit countershading-dark dorsal coloration for camouflage from above against the dark depths, and lighter ventral coloration for camouflage from below against the s…