Deep-Sea Creatures Close to Home: A Sign of Trouble or Just a Natural Occurrence.
1. Introduction to Deep Sea Creatures A. Overview of deep sea environments One of the most extreme and poorly understood habitats on Earth is the vast, largely unexplored deep sea environment, which extends below 200 meters (656 feet). High pressure, complete darkness, low temperatures, and a lack of food characterize these environments. Deep sea ecosystems are extremely diverse and home to a wide variety of distinct organisms that have adapted to survive in such challenging environments, despite the harsh conditions. Key Features of the Environments in the Deep Sea Zones of Depth: i. The Mesopelagic Zone (200-1,000 meters): This area, also referred to as the twilight zone, receives only a small amount of sunlight, which enables some photosynthesis. It is the home of numerous bioluminescent organisms, squid, and fish. ii. Bathypelagic Zone (1,000-4,000 meters): High pressure and cold temperatures characterize this completely dark region. Deep-sea fish, cephalopods, and gelatino...