DOCUMENTARY
DOCUMENTARY
The Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic Zone)
dive deeper
0-200m / 656 ft
Fed by sunlight, the Epipelagic zone is the surface layer of the ocean. It is where most of the visible light exists, which warms up the water temperature and responsible for the wide range of temperatures of this layer of water.
The light also creates photosynthesis underwater, which is an essential process for many plants and organisms that live in this zone.
“Cabin vent valve is closed, request permission to vent,” I reported to the surface officer while the waves were crashing over the submersible dome.
My co-pilot for today is Fernando Alvarado, Minister of Tourism of Ecuador, and we are about to explore a newly discovered dive site called “Darwin’s Cave.”
At the edge of light, the Mesopelagic zone, which also known as the Twilight Zone extending from 200-1000m\650-3300ft. Recent studies suggest that it might hold more fish biomass than all the other layers in the ocean combined.
It is an area where a massive vertical migration of microscopic animals passes through. Today, more and more manned submersible venture this unexplored territory.
We are at 200m deep, and I’m turning my red light on to check the oxygen level and find that we are at the low margin. I felt how throat was getting drier.
Sweat started beading on my forehead. I took a deep breath, turned the floating dial counterclockwise and reported, “O2 at 19%, coming up.” I watched the oxygen levels rising back up to 20.9% and exhaled in relief.
That 2% of difference almost took my breath away.
Famously known as the Midnight Zone, the Bathpelagic is an area out of the sunlight reach.
Due to the absence of light, many species don't have eyes. It is believed to be some of the world's largest whales feeding area. The Bayhyal inhabitants include sharks, octopuses, squid, and many other species of fish; most are yet to be discovered.
The Abyssal & Hadal zone (Abyssopelagic/Hadopelagic zone)
4,000 - 11,000m / 13,200-36,200 ft
The Abyssal zone extends between depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters (9,800 to 19,700 ft), this zone remains in eternal darkness. Along the ocean floor, there are deep trenches that fall thousands of meters below the seafloor. The most famous one is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific. Mount Everest would fit inside it, with over a mile of extra space above it.
Named after the realm of Hades from Greek mythology, The Hadal zone is the deepest part of the ocean. The deepest point is called "Challenger Deep," and as per 2019, only four human beings have ever been there.