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Sunlight sufficient to power photosynthesis in marine plants penetrates to a depth of approximately (~660 feet). Sunlight decreases from this depth to approximately 900 meters (~3000 feet) where sunlight no longer penetrates. This sunlight-less region is known as the aphotic zone.
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How far down does sunlight go in an ocean?
Sunlight can penetrate into the ocean to an average depth of about 200 meters (656 feet). This depth can vary depending on factors such as water clarity, time of day, and geographic location. Beyond this depth, the ocean becomes progressively darker as less sunlight is able to penetrate.
How far does light penetrate underwater?
The depth light can penetrate underwater depends on water clarity and the angle of the sun. In clear ocean water, sunlight can penetrate up to 200 meters (656 feet). In murky or turbid water, light penetration may only be a few meters.
Oceanographers can use sonar to calculate the depth of the ocean floor because?
sound waves can penetrate the ocean floor.
To What average depth does light penetrate in the ocean?
There is no "usable" light agter 200 meters...
Why are deep areas of the ocean dark?
The further down, the less sunlight is able to penetrate into the darkness.
Why is it impossible for plankton to live in the deepest part of the ocean?
Because they need sunlight, which can't penetrate that deep.
Does sunlight reach the abyssal plains?
The clearest waters are in the South Pacific Gyre. At this place, the sunlight can still be measured at 200-250m depth at maximum. Abyssal plains are at 3000-4000 m depth... so no the sunlight doesn't reach the abyssal plains, it is very far from that!
What is the relationship between depth and sunlight?
The relationship between depth and sunlight is that sunlight penetration decreases as depth increases in water. This is due to the absorption and scattering of light by water molecules and particles. Consequently, less sunlight reaches deeper parts of the water column, affecting the availability of light for photosynthesis and primary production.
Water is clear so why is the ocean blue?
Water molecules absorb and scatter sunlight. Blue light is scattered more than other colors, creating the appearance of a blue ocean. This effect is intensified by the depth of the ocean, which allows blue light to penetrate more than other colors.
To what dept does sunlight penetrate the ocean?
Somewhere in the Mesopelagic Zone (200m to 1000m). Although enough sunlight makes it here for some animals it is too dim for photosynthesis. There is no sunlight beneath this zone.
What are the depths for the aphotic zone?
The aphotic zone is the depth of a lake or ocean where less than 1% of sunlight reaches. In the ocean it begins around 650-3,000 feet, but it depends on water conditions (how dark or murky the water is).
Why does the light decrease as you go deeper into the ocean?
the more you go down the denser the water gets until the water is so dense that the sunlight can't reach the bottom of the ocean.
