📖 what

What is the mesopelagic zone?

OceanographyMarine ecology

Quick Answer

The mesopelagic zone is the ocean layer from about 200 to 1,000 meters below the surface. It is often called the twilight zone because sunlight is faint there.

The Full Story

In the mesopelagic zone, light is too weak for photosynthesis but still enough for many animals to see shapes and shadows. This layer contains enormous numbers of lanternfish, squid, and other migrating species that move upward at night to feed. Scientists estimate it holds an enormous amount of biomass compared with other open-ocean layers. The twilight zone is important in the ocean carbon cycle because many organisms transport carbon downward through daily vertical migration.

Key Facts

1.Extends roughly from 200 to 1,000 meters deep
2.Called the ocean’s twilight zone
3.Contains major daily vertical migrations

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"The ocean’s twilight zone is full of life"