This upper region is called the photic zone almost all of the marine plants and tiny microscopic marine organisms that engage in photosynthesis can thrive only in the photic zone. ![]() Only the very top layers of the ocean get enough light to support plants, and most of the truly abundant animal life is crowded into the top 200 meters. At great depths, light is so scattered that there is nothing left to detect. As the light energy travels through the water, the molecules in the water scatter and absorb it. The ocean is very, very deep light can only penetrate so far below the surface of the ocean. It’s dark down there at the bottom of the sea-darker than you can probably even imagine! Let me explain. The researchers in ALVIN certainly don’t need to wear sunglasses. ![]() ![]() It's a glorious sunny morning out at sea-I have to wear sunglasses up on deck from the glare off the water, and plenty of sunblock on my nose! In about five hours, the ALVIN will return from a day at the vents, and I can’t wait to hear about the latest data the researchers have collected.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |