KyaraAbyss

== The Abyss al Zone: The Ocean Deep == The region that is defined by complete darkness.This region is also defined by high pressure and temperatures of 35 degrees F.The abyss is the area of the ocean that reaches the depths of 4,000 to 6,000 meters. Many abyssal creatures have underslung jaws so it is easy for them to look for food in the sand and sediment. The trenches that go thousands of meters below the ocean floor are almost unexplored.The abyssal zone is also described as being a place with continuous cold and lack of nutrients.

__Deep Sea Organisms __



1.Radiolarians- float in the deep water and are members of the zooplankton. They feed on phytoplankton and copepods and jellies. 2 Phytoplankton- the plant plankton 3.Venus flytrap anemone- named after the famous carnivorous plant. 4. Sea Pig- live on the ocean floor and feed on organic particles and bacteria they find in the sediment. 5. Armored Sea Robin- benthic fish that spends part of their lives alone. Emits birdsong like sounds when out of water. 6. Copepods- one of the most important crustaceans in the ocean. Feeds on phytoplankton cells. 7.Glowing Sea Cucumber- feeds on deposited organic particles in the sediment.

8. Deep Sea Jellyfish- they come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Some of the jelly fish glow because it is so dark.

== ==

__What Makes Life Hospitable __ __Food__- food in the abyssal zone is scarce, so it is hard for the animals to get to get food. The animals have large gaps so it is easier to injest food. In the deep sea it is either eat or be eaten. Most of the organisms in the abyssal zone are only a few millimeters long because of the lack of food. The organism are only able to eat food left over from other animals.

__Pressure__- The pressure in water increases one atmosphere every 33 feet. Animals in the abyssal zone have to be able to withstand this pressure. This pressure makes it very difficult for humans to explore the abyss. "At 4000 m depth, the pressure exerted by water on a body is equivalent to a cow standing on one's thumbnail." (110)

__Potential Threat __ If the mid-ocean vents were altered it would effect the abyss. There is a lot of bacteria that live in and around these vents. The bacteria from these vents are able to turn hydrogen sulfide into energy. Then these bacteria are then fed on by tube worms, crustaceans and other organisms.

__**Endangered/ Threatened Organisms **__ There isn't any endangered organisms in the abyssal zone. This is the case because they is not fishing or human activity going on to threaten the organisms. The animals have a very long life span usually over 100 years because they are not being caught in any fishnets or anything man-made. Since these organisms do not migrate and are slow to develop this is the only concern of endangerment.

__Personal Reflection __ The abyssal zone is valuable to humans so that we research the evolution of some animals. The abyssal zone also helps to learn about how animals in different zones of the ocean live and adapt. The animals in the abyss are very unique and deserve to be observed and learned about. I think the abyss is a very important part of the ocean. Without the abyssal zone then there would be no place for the dead animals fall to. Another reason it is important is because it holds animals that could not be found anywhere else.

Facts About the Abyss: 1. Water pressure in the abyss and reach up to 11,000 pounds per square inch. 2. Scientists believe that the abyss harbors more life than all of the world's tropical forests. 3. Almost untouched the abyss can reach temperatures of two degrees celsius. 4. Less than a millionth of the abyss has been by human eye or a remote camera. 5. Below about 200 m depth, there is no plant life in the oceans. Everything is either animal or mineral.(76)

Video of Journey to the Abyss (Almost) Look at the Abyss Below media type="file" key="Fangtooth in the Abyss - Blue Planet - BBC wildlif.mp4" width="329" height="329" align="left"

__Citations __ "Abyssal Zone Biome." Biomes of the World. N.p., Apr. 2007. Web. 9 Sept. 2010.  .

"Deep Ocean." Fathom. National History Museum, n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2010.  .

NOAA. "Benthic Habitat Mapping." NOAA Costal Services Center. NOAA, n.d. Web. 9  Sept. 2010. .

<span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;">Nouvian, Claire. The Deep. Chicgo: The University of Chicago Press, 2007. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;">Schultz, Terrie. "The Abyssal Zone and Ocean Deep." Bright Hub. Laura <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;"> Patsalides, 22 May 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010. <http://www.brighthub.com/ <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;"> environment/science-environmental/articles/60013.aspx>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;">"The Mariana Trench-Biology." The Mariana Trench. N.p., 10 May 2003. Web. 9 <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;"> Sept. 2010. <http://www.marianatrench.com/ <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; white-space: nowrap;"> mariana_trench-biology_001.htm>.