1. Life in the Ocean

2. 3 Major Groups of Marine Life
Plankton
Float at or near the surface of ocean
Two types:
Phytoplankton – plant like
Zooplankton – animal like
Nekton
Free swimming organisms: Dolphins
Benthos
Live on the ocean floor: clams, crabs

3. Ocean Zones
Three Ecological Zones
Intertidal
Neritic
Open-ocean

4. Intertidal Zone Extends from the High tide to the Low Tide
Drastically changing environment
Why?
Periods of underwater, exposed to sunlight and air, pounding of waves, and change in temp and salinity
Organisms adapt to live underwater and on land
Shells = protection: sunlight and tides

5. Neritic Zone
Begins at the low-tide limit and extends to edge of continental shelf
Temp, pressure, nutrients and sunlight are consistent
Majority of organisms found within the upper 100 meters. Why?
Algae grows providing food and shelter

6. Open-ocean Zone Extends from shelf to Deep Ocean Basin
Contains water column: Surface to deep
Plant life is scarce due to lack of sunlight
Water has few nutrients
Colder temps and higher pressure lead to interesting adaptations