The Abyssal Zone - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Abyssal Zone

Created by Shalynn LeeSlide2

The Abyssal Zone

What is it?

The Abyssal Zone is 1 out of the 5 pelagic layers in the ocean. This zone contains a

very

deep depth. “Abyss” comes from the Greek word “ἄβυσσος” meaning bottomless. The Abyssal Zone is also called Abyssopelagic, and the Abyss.Slide3

Did you know that the depth of the Abyssal zone is 4,000-6,000 meters below sea level? The water in the abyssal zone is

dark

that it never receives daylight

. It also has an extreme amount of pressure underwater. Humans have only begun to explore the

Abyssal Zone.Slide4

As you can see, in this diagram the ocean is divided into 5 sections. Starting near the surface of the water is the

Euphotic zone and at the bottom of the sea floor

is the Hadal zone. The Abyssal Z

one,

however, is located between the bathyal zone and the hadal zone. As the water gets deeper, it becomes much darker

and

colder

.

Pelagic LayersSlide5

The Depths of the Pelagic Layers

Meters

Type

of Zone

Here is another way to look at the depths of the 5

pelagic layers

. You can see that the water is getting deeper and deeper each time.

Euphotic Zone

: 0-200m

Disphotic Zone

: 200-1000m

Bathyal Zone

: 1000-3000m

Abyssal Zone

: 3000-6000m

Hadal Zone

: 6000-sea floorSlide6

The 5 pelagic zones have many different names

1

st layer: The Epipelagic Zone /The Euphotic Zone /The Sunlit Zone.

2

nd layer: The Mesopelagic Zone /The Disphotic Zone /The Twilight Zone.3rd layer: The Bathypelagic Zone /The Bathyal /The Midnight Zone.

4

th

layer: Abyssopelagic Zone /The Abyssal Zone /The Lower Midnight Zone.

5

th

layer: Hadalpelagic Zone or The Hadal Zone.Slide7

In the Abyssal zone, the average water temperature is 2°C to 3°C . However, the temperature can reach up to

464 °C when the water is near hydrothermal vents. At that temperature, the water is far above the boiling point, yet it doesn’t boil because of the pressure in the

water.

Hydrothermal vents Slide8

Organisms that live in the abyssal zone are adapted to live in the rough environment with high pressure and living in the

darkness.

As you can see, these magnificent sea creatures look much more

mysterious

and scary-looking conpared to the fishes we see near the surface of the water. Here are some examples of sea creatures that live in the

A

byssal

Z

one.

Black Swallower

Tripod Fish

Angler Fish

Giant Squid

Gulper eel

Dumbo OctopusSlide9

There are many animals living in the Abyssal

Zone. But sadly there NO

plants found in the deeper areas of the ocean. This is because

sunlight

can’t reach the Abyssal Zone so photosynthesis cannot occur. The ocean waters are pitch dark

, so

daylight

can’t be found in these areas of the ocean.Slide10

What is a Biome?

A Biome is an area where plants and animals are adapted to live a specific type of environment. But in this cause, it’s the ocean.

Did you know that the Abyssal Zone biome is the largest biome in the world? The biome covers about 60% of the Earth’s surface.Slide11

The Abyssal Zone is an interesting water layer. A lot happens under the waters where many scuba divers cannot travel to. In fact, the deeper areas of the ocean has almost never been explored before. The only way to explore very deep waters is to use underwater robotics. Robots such as Alvin and Jason are excellent robots that can go deep into the ocean.Slide12

Alvin

Alvin is a robot that is specifically used to explored very deep waters. Alvin can plunge to a maximum depth of 4,500 meters.That means that Alvin was able to cross the 3,000 meter mark where the Abyssal Zone begins. What’s special about Alvin is that it is built out of titanium, which can help it avoid being crushed by the water pressure. In 1977, Alvin made the first discovery of hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean. Slide13

JasonJason is another underwater robot that explores deep into the ocean. To control Jason, scientists can stay on deck to guide it. Unlike Alvin, Jason can go as deep as 6,500 meters. That means that Jason can reach the Hadel Zone! Jason also has an robotic arm that can take samples of rocks,

water and sea life.Slide14

As you can see, the Abyssal Zone and the Hadel Zone would have never been explored without scientists inventing underwater robots. We should all be thankful to have those scientists inventing new things everyday to make ours be amazed. Slide15

The End

Created By: Shalynn Lee