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