Aquatic Biomes

pelagic realm

(also, pelagic zone) open ocean waters that are not close to the bottom or near the shore

benthic realm

(also, benthic zone) part of the ocean that extends along the ocean bottom from the shoreline to the deepest parts of the ocean floor

estuary

biomes where a source of fresh water, such as a river, meets the ocean

abyssal zone

deepest part of the ocean at depths of 4000 m or greater

coral reef

ocean ridges formed by marine invertebrates living in warm, shallow waters within the photic zone

oceanic zone

part of the ocean that begins offshore where the water measures 200 m deep or deeper

neritic zone

part of the ocean that extends from low tide to the edge of the continental shelf

intertidal zone

part of the ocean that is closest to land; parts extend above the water at low tide

aphotic zone

part of the ocean where no light penetrates

photic zone

portion of the ocean that light can penetrate