Bathypelagic Zone Definition | Bathypelagic Zone Animals | Bathypelagic Zone Pressure

Bathypelagic Zone

The Bathypelagic Zone is the deep ocean layer below the Mesopelagic zone and above the Abyssopelagic zone. It is characterized by the extremely low density of the water particles, the lack of sunlight, and the complete absence of photosynthesis. In the Bathypelagic Zone, food is scarce, and all living creatures have to rely on food that travels up from the Deep.

The bathypelagic zone, also called the benthic zone, is the deepest layer. It’s about 3,900 feet down and home to creatures like the giant squid, lantern fish, and deep-sea sharks. You may also know this zone as the aphotic zone.

The ocean is divided into five zones. This bottom layer is the darkest and coldest one of all of them. It is known as the aphotic zone because it’s so dark you can’t see without a special light.

The name ‘bathypelagic’ comes from “bathys” for deep and “pelagos” meaning sea. It stays around freezing, but it is not exactly cold as the temperature varies slightly in all parts of the ocean and can reach up to 37°F (4 °C). The temperature rises or drops depending on how close they are to the surface of the water. The deeper the creature, the colder it gets.

The bathypelagic zone is the home of most deep-sea fishes. It’s also home to some of the deep-sea sharks like the bigeye six-gill shark and haggis shark (a chimaera). You will also see lantern fish and phascogale’s –a small deep-sea squid.

Bathypelagic zone pressure &  temperature

Bathypelagic zone pressure is produced by sinking oceanic water and cooling or mixing water mass from the depth below sea level. The bathypelagic zone is where the temperature ranges are between 4 °C and -10 °C. There is less pressure in this zone than in other parts of the ocean.

Every day, 7 billion tons of seawater fall into the depths of rain or snowflakes. The resulting weight compresses, forming a “trench” extending below sea level. 

What animals live in the bathypelagic zone

Many of them live on the seafloor. These include the large, bottom-dwelling clams and scallops such as:

• The Venus Clam
• The Limpets
• Pteropods

Bivalves such as oysters, mussels, and scallops may extend their antennae through holes in the top of their shells to feel for prey. Some bivalves, such as mussels, have both a shell gland and a mantle that secrete mucus to help them float.

Bathypelagic zone Organism and adaptation

Adaptations for this environment vary greatly between organisms. The bathypelagic zone, also known as the deep sea, is bordered on all sides by a surface where light from the sun cannot reach.

Organisms that live in this zone often have adaptations for living in the deep sea. The largest animals found in this region are the giant squid (Architeuthis), the blue whale, and the sperm whale.

The bathypelagic zone contains a high amount of organic matter, which can cause intense chemical reactions to occur. Bathypelagic zone light is a relatively new form of light for aquariums. The Bathypelagic Zone, or the deep sea, has been a mystery for centuries, and its secrets are still being uncovered.

Many organisms that live in the deep sea are bioluminescent. This is because they need to be able to see predators and prey, along with being able to blend into their environment. Bioluminescence is a form of light produced by a chemical reaction within an organism’s body.

In order to survive in the deep sea, animals have adapted to withstand the extreme pressures, low temperatures, and complete darkness.

Bathypelagic zone characteristics

The Bathypelagic zone is one of the deepest sea levels, below the abyssopelagic zones and above the Mesopelagic zone. The bathypelagic zone is home to many deep-sea animals, including those that live at hydrothermal vents.

The bathypelagic zone is a little understood and much-maligned region of the deep ocean. It is a region that lies below the epipelagic zone and above the abyssopelagic zone. Adaptations for this environment vary greatly between organisms.

Here are a few facts about the bathypelagic zone

1) Although we know a lot about deep-sea animals, we have very little knowledge of creatures living in the deep sea.

2) Living in the bathypelagic zone is very difficult.

3) Many creatures live in the bathypelagic zone, such as Giant Squid, Humboldt Squid, and Octopi.

4) There are many underwater volcanoes like seamounts that have a rich source of nutrients.

Bathypelagic zone depth

The bathypelagic zone is the deepest layer of the ocean. It is generally assumed to begin at a depth of roughly 3,300 meters, which is where the water pressure exceeds one atmosphere.

These waters are so deep that the sun’s rays cannot penetrate them, so the bathypelagic zone is usually very dark, but it is also very rich in nutrients, so many organisms live there.

Related:

Euphotic Zone Definition | Euphotic Zone Animals | Euphotic Zone Depth

Epipelagic Zone Definition | Epipelagic Zone Animals | Epipelagic Zone Pressure