The ocean is vast and full of mysteries. One of the most fascinating parts of the ocean is the bathyal zone. This zone is a unique and important part of the ocean that is worth exploring. In this article, we will define and explore the meaning of the bathyal zone.
Definitions
The bathyal zone is a part of the ocean that is located between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain. It is also known as the midnight zone, as it is a dark and cold area of the ocean. The depth of the bathyal zone ranges from 200 meters to 4,000 meters.
Origin
The term “bathyal” is derived from the Greek word “bathos,” which means “depth.” The bathyal zone was first identified and named by the oceanographer Edward Forbes in the mid-1800s.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the bathyal zone is “a marine ecological zone that includes the middle and lower parts of the continental slope and the adjacent parts of the ocean floor.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the zone of the ocean floor lying between the continental slope and the abyssal plain, typically at depths of between 200 and 2,000 metres.”
Associations
The bathyal zone is home to a diverse range of marine life, including deep-sea corals, sponges, and fish. It is also an important area for commercial fishing, as many species of fish live in this zone.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for the bathyal zone include the midnight zone, the mesopelagic zone, and the lower twilight zone.
Antonyms
The antonym of the bathyal zone is the epipelagic zone, which is the part of the ocean that is near the surface.
The same root words
The root word “bathos” is also found in other words related to depth, such as “bathymetry” (the measurement of ocean depths) and “batholith” (a large mass of igneous rock that has intruded into the earth’s crust).
Example Sentences
- The bathyal zone is an important habitat for deep-sea creatures.
- Commercial fishing in the bathyal zone can be lucrative, but it also has the potential to harm the ecosystem.
- The bathyal zone is a dark and cold part of the ocean that is difficult to explore.
- Scientists are still discovering new species of marine life in the bathyal zone.
- The bathyal zone is an important part of the ocean that plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem.