Benthos

= Title: ﻿Benthos = = =



=== Benthos is used to describe organisms living on or in the ocean bottom. Although this zone officially begins at the 6000 ft. mark some places above this mark could still be considered benthic because of the lack of sunlight in clear waters. Physical conditions and nutrient levels can vary do to the closeness of the coast and tectonic plates. A large variety of marine life lives in this region of the ocean, but only the "strangest" kinds live here. ===

=== Benthos organisms have some of the most unique characteristics. Because the bottom of the ocean can be very distant from the surface, photosynthesis does not occur in some areas, and particles may even cloud the ocean making it darker. Deep benthos plants use other means to survive in this region (i.e. [|chemosynthesis]). They use the nutrients found at the bottom, especially generated from hydrothermal vents, to survive. Some of the marine organisms have their own light source to help them see in this darkness. Bioluminescence is what this light is called. Bioluminescence is important in the survival of deep sea marine creatures. It helps the creature find food, mates, and can even aid them in self-defense. ===

=== Benthos organisms are highly attracted to [|**hydrothermal vents**]. The nutrients found there make fish thrive. The temperatures that are being generated could possibly harm the life there. The fish would have to be able to handle the sudden increase and decrease of those areas. ===

=== In this depth, the water pressure is very high and the temperature can be very low. Since there is lack of sunlight it makes the temperatures decrease greatly. The latitude can either decrease or raise the temperature. Hydrothermal vents increase pressure and temperature levels. With this knowledge, the benthic zone doesn’t really have many guidelines, besides the depth a light visibility. ===



Benthic Sea Star




 * The benthic regions can have various depths because it follows the land under the sea.
 * There are numerous sections of the ocean that can be considered as apart of the benthic zone. Ex. trenches and abyssal plains
 * Benthic stroms are rare occuring storms that can carry and deposit great amounts of the ocean floor.

Links to more information:

 * [|Benthic Life]
 * [|Benthic Storms]

Tarbuck, Edward J., and Frederick K. Lutgens, eds. North Carolina Earth/ Enviromental Science. Needham, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004. Print.

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"Exploring Geysers on the Seafloor." Hydrothermal Vents. Universtiy of Delaware, Nov. 2004. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. [].

"Chemosynthesis." NeMO Explorer. N.p., Web. 22 Nov. 2010. [].

"Benthos." Nature Works. New Hampshire Public Television, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. [].

Bluhm, Bodil., and IkenKatherine The Golden Star Fish. University of Alaska, Fairbank, Ak. Nature's Crusaders. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. [].

Schmidt, Victor, and William Harbert. Planet Earth and the New Geoscience. 4th. Pittsburg: Metropolitan Pittsburg Public Broadcasting Incorporated, 2004. Planet Earth and the New Geoscience. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. [].