1. OCEAN INFORMATION

2. DEPTH ZONES Epipelagic zone “sunlight zone” 1 st 200 meters almost all visible light occurs here Mesopelagic zone “twilight zone” 200-1000 meters bioluminescent organisms tremendous biological diversity

3. Bathopelagic zone “midnight zone” 1000-4000 meters no light, except made by creatures Abissopelagic zone 4000-6000 meters very little life, mostly invertebrates Hadalpelagic zone 6000+ meters tube worms http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/ocean-layers.html

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 Finger Coral Staghorn 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