The pressure this far deep would amount to 5,800 lbs per square inch, and it would be hard to believe life can withstand this much force (National Weather Service). This is only 7 degrees warmer than the temperature that freshwater freezes at! As a portion of the deep sea, there are no currents that affect this zone, rendering it as a relatively stable environment. Temperatures this deep are fairly constant and hover around 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Bioluminescence is the ability for animals to glow in the dark, caused by the release of energy from chemical reactions in the form of light (Roberts). The only source of light in this zone comes from organisms using bioluminescence (National Weather Service). At 1,000-4,000 meters below, no light is able to penetrate the ocean water this deep, preventing any primary production. The bathypelagic zone is known as the “midnight” zone for its characteristically lightless waters.
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