1. OCEAN INFORMATION

2. DEPTH ZONES
Epipelagic zone “sunlight zone” 1st 200 meters almost all visible light occurs here
Mesopelagic zone “twilight zone” meters bioluminescent organisms tremendous biological diversity

3. Hadalpelagic zone 6000+ meters tube worms
Bathopelagic zone “midnight zone” meters no light, except made by creatures
Abissopelagic zone meters very little life, mostly invertebrates
Hadalpelagic zone meters tube worms

4. Coral Reefs
How a reef develops 1. Polyps release egg & sperm which makes larvae 2. Larvae settle on hard surfaces & develop into coral polyps 3. Polyps have zooxanthellae algae living in them that provides energy 4. Coral polyp secretes calcium carbonate, which builds the reef

5. Coral Reefs
Coral polyps are colonial animals (many of them grow together) that are attached by a thin membrane
There are many types of corals and most grow very slowly (2.5 cm/yr)

6. Types of Corals
Hard or stony corals: made with calcium carbonate the polyp secretes can form massive stony structures examples: brain, staghorn, star, finger corals

7. Hard Coral

8. Brain Coral
Staghorn Coral

9. Star Coral
Staghorn Coral
Finger Coral

10. Types of Corals
Soft corals: flexible due to fibrous protein sway back and forth with water movement examples: sea fan, sea whip, sea plume

11. Sea Fan

12. Sea Whip

13. Sea Plume

14. Locations & Conditions
Locations: tropical regions of world between 30 degrees north & south of equator
Conditions: warm & clear water, shallow water, plenty of sunlight
Coral bleaching: algae are expelled & coral polyps die

15. Types of Reefs
Fringing – runs parallel to the shore a few kilometers offshore; found around Florida Keys & Caribbean
Barrier – grows farther offshore; Great Barrier Reef in Australia & Bahamas Barrier Reef
Atoll –circle of reef with a lagoon in the center; once had a volcanic island in the center

16. Fringing Reef
Barrier Reef
Atoll Reef

17. Variety on a Reef
Many types of corals live together, each with its own shape
Fish and other creatures live on or near the reef – crevices offer shelter & homes
Cleaner stations for fish to have parasites removed

18. Avoiding Detection by Predators
Hide in reef or sandy bottom
Camouflage – coloration or blending in with similar shape
Swimming in large groups, or schools
Coloration – bright colors to identify members of own species; used to confuse predators

19. How Coral Reef is Harmed
Parrotfish eat the coral to get its algae
Crown-of-thorns sea star eats polyps
Changes in land habitat – silt
Coastal development & dredging
Fertilizer & pollution like oil slicks, pesticides, garbage
Overfishing & overcollecting
Boat anchors