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Epipelagic zone

Coastal Ecosystems:

Epipelagic zone

This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

The epipelagic zone, in oceanography, is the uppermost level of a sea, generally construed to be waters of lesser depth than 200 meters.

This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to improve this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion.

Within this layer of the ocean is there the greatest penetration of sunlight, and hence generally the greatest primary biological productivity.

The epipelagic zone is directly above the mesopelagic zone of the ocean. Ocean Zones. Source: NOAA Ocean Zones. Source: NOAA

 

Citation

Steve Baum (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Epipelagic zone". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 27, 2010; Last revised Date December 5, 2011; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Epipelagic_zone?topic=53642>

The Author

Steve Baum Assistant Research Scientist, Physical Section Department of Oceanography Texas A&M University   ... (Full Bio)

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