Hydrosphere and Its Subdivisions

What percentage of fresh water is stored in the polar regions?

Which of the following is NOT a subdivision of the hydrosphere based on depth?

Which zone is characterized by a depth from 200 to 3,000 meters?

What is a defining characteristic of the Abyssal Zone?

Which of the following correctly describes the Neritic Zone?

Which of the following is a major feature of the hydrosphere?

What is the depth range for the Bathyal Zone?

Which of the following water bodies is considered part of the hydrosphere?

What characterizes the Hadal Zone in the ocean?

Which zone of the ocean is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?

What defines the Aphotic Zone?

What role do phytoplankton play in the marine ecosystem?

Which of the following correctly describes benthic organisms?

What distinguishes zooplankton in the marine environment?

Which statement accurately describes phytoplankton?

Which of the following best describes the role of plankton in oceanic ecosystems?

Hydrosphere

Refers to all water on Earth: liquid, solid, and gas
Water is stored in a variety of reservoirs, including:
- Ice Caps: 60% of fresh water is stored in polar regions
- Seas and Oceans: - Pacific Ocean - Atlantic Ocean - Indian Ocean - Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean) - Arctic Ocean
- Rivers and Lakes
- Aquifers
- Troposphere

Hydrosphere Subdivision: Depth

Littoral Zone: Located between the limits of tides.
Neritic Zone: Extends from low tide to the edge of the continental shelf (200 meters )
Bathyal Zone: 200 to 3,000 meters, corresponding to the continental slope with a steep gradient
Abyssal Zone: 3,000 to 7,000 meters, deepest part of oceans, in complete darkness, very low temperature (2-3°C)
Hadal Zone: Over 7,000 meters, primarily represented by ocean trenches

Hydrosphere Subdivision: Illumination

Photic Zone: Surface zone where light penetrates, allowing for algae photosynthesis
Aphotic Zone: Below the photic zone, light is scarce or absent, photosynthesis is rare to nonexistent

Ecological Distribution

Benthic Organisms: Live attached to the seabed (green algae, bivalves, corals)
Plankton: Live suspended in the water, move due to underwater currents
- Phytoplankton: Plant-based plankton, utilize photosynthesis to release oxygen
- Zooplankton: Animal-based plankton, feed on phytoplankton

Role of Phytoplankton

First link in the marine food chain
They produce over half of the Earth's oxygen, making them the "lungs of the planet"

Explore the hydrosphere, which encompasses all water on Earth, including its various forms and storage locations like oceans, ice caps, and aquifers. This quiz delves into the depth and illumination subdivisions of the hydrosphere, detailing the distinct zones found within oceanic environments.