The photic zone is the surface layer of a water body where organisms can photosynthesize. It is home to 90% of ocean life and its depth varies. The euphotic zone is important for ocean health and contains organisms that rely on light for energy. The aphotic zone beyond is home to creatures adapted to darkness and extreme conditions. Turbidity and microorganisms can affect the depth of the photic zone. The protection of this area is important for the environment and industries. Microorganisms in this area consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
The photic zone is the surface layer of a water body. It has enough light for organisms to photosynthesize. In the ocean, about 90% of life is found in this area. The depth of this zone can vary enormously, depending on a number of different factors. The depth of the photic zone is measured with a device called a Secchi disk; the disc is dropped into the water and observers note where the design on the disc cannot be clearly distinguished.
Also called the euphotic zone, the photic zone is home to organisms that need light for energy, along with organisms that rely on these organisms for sustenance. This includes plants, bacteria, algae and many animals. Some inhabitants of this area have developed creative adaptations such as pigments that help them use sunlight more effectively, so they can survive lower light levels.
In the ocean beyond the photic zone lies a phantasmagoria of curious ocean creatures that inhabit the aphotic zone. These creatures have adapted to living in total darkness and can withstand the extreme cold and pressure found in the depths of the ocean. One area of surprising deep-ocean activity is around hydrothermal vents, which support thriving communities of organisms that use chemosynthesis for energy. These communities were discovered by accident by researchers who were amazed to find organisms that thrive in such extreme conditions.
One thing that can affect the depth of the photic zone is turbidity. Turbidity is caused by disturbances in the water such as silt and mud which can darken the water, significantly reducing the depth of the photic zone. Some bodies of water are naturally turbid, while others tend to be clearer. The number of organisms in the water can also make a difference. Huge colonies of microorganisms such as algae can literally cloud the surface, reducing available light.
Researchers are naturally interested in the photic zone as it can provide important insights into ocean health. The protection of this area is important for fishing and other industries that use the ocean and for the survival of the environment as a whole. The microorganisms that inhabit this area, for example, account for a considerable percentage of the world’s carbon dioxide consumption, breathing oxygen as a waste product and maintaining a stable composition of gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Phytoplankton are thought to be responsible for up to 90% of the world’s oxygen production.
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