Our planet is filled with various living creatures that adorn the Earth and contribute to the ecosystem. But it is no secret that the water depths are also teeming with many inhabitants. Although the variety of these creatures is not as abundant as on the surface, but still these organisms are very unusual and interesting. So, who lives at the bottom of the ocean, what are their living conditions?

Depth setting

From space, our planet looks like a blue pearl. This is because the area of \u200b\u200ball waters is almost three times that of land. Like the earth, the surface of the oceans has irregularities. It is dotted with hills, valleys, plains, mountains and even volcanoes. They are all on different depths. So, the abyssal plains are submerged by about 4000-6000 m. But even there is life, although this may surprise, since at a depth of 1000 m the pressure is 100 atmospheres. And with every hundred meters it increases by 10 units. Also, light does not penetrate there, which is why darkness always reigns at the bottom, therefore, the process of photosynthesis does not occur. In addition, under such a thickness, the water is unable to warm up, in the deepest places the temperature is kept at zero. Such conditions make life in these places not very rich in comparison with the surface, because the lower you go down, the less vegetation grows. Therefore, the question arises: how do those who live at the bottom of the ocean adapt?

Deep sea life

Although it may seem that in such circumstances life is very difficult and even impossible, the local inhabitants are still quite adapted to these conditions. Animals that are at the bottom do not feel strong pressure and do not suffer from a lack of oxygen. Also, those who live on the bottom of the ocean are able to feed themselves. Basically, they collect residues that “fall” from the upper layers.

Inhabitants of the depths

Of course, at the bottom the diversity of life is not so great as on the surface of the waters, and you can count the deep-sea inhabitants “on the fingers”. Unicellular organisms are found here, there are a little more than 120 species. There are also crustaceans, there are about 110 of them. The rest are much smaller, the number of each species does not exceed 70. Such few inhabitants include worms, intestinal, mollusks, sponges and echinoderms. There are also fish living on the ocean floor, but here the diversity of their species is very small.

Is there complete darkness there?

Since the rays of the sun are unable to break through the abyss of water, it is believed that all the inhabitants are in constant darkness. But in reality, many animals that are found there have the ability to emit light. Basically, such a property among those living on the bottom of the ocean, predators possess. For example, the conical periphery, emitting light, attracts small inhabitants. This is a trap for them, as they become victims of this predator. But the glow can create and harmless living creatures.

Some fish have certain parts of the body that emit light. More often they are located under the eyes or stretch along the body. Certain types of crustaceans or fish use their eyesight, but the majority of inhabitants have no eyes or have undeveloped organs. This is not surprising, since such "living" lighting, which is created by bottom creatures, is not enough to make the underwater space observable. To get food, you have to use touch. To do this, there are modified fins, tentacles or long legs for those living on the ocean floor. The photo above illustrates one of these unusual creatures, known as the Atoll jellyfish. But in the deep water abyss, many living inhabitants mainly lead a motionless life, therefore they resemble flowers and plants.

LIFE IN THE OCEAN

Ocean water contains substances necessary for life. Living creatures are found in the ocean at any depth. They exist even at the bottom of the Mariana Trench - the deepest point of the World Ocean - at a depth of 11,000 meters, even where hot magma comes from the depths of the Earth through faults, even where high temperatures and tremendous pressure. One can safely say that life in the ocean is pervasive.

Life in the ocean is unusually diverse, since its conditions from the poles to the equator, from the surface of water masses to deep ones are very different. By the diversity of plant and animal species, the ocean is comparable to land. The ocean is still full of secrets now. When exploring the depths of the sea, organisms unknown to science are found.

According to most scientists, the ocean is the cradle of life on Earth, since all life on our planet came out of the ocean. The development of life in it led to a change in the properties of water masses (salinity, gas content, etc.). For example, the appearance of green plants in the ocean has led to an increase in the oxygen content in water. Oxygen was released from the water into the atmosphere, changing its composition. The appearance of oxygen in the atmosphere has led to the possibility of colonization of land by organisms that come from the oceans.

All inhabitants of the oceans according to their living conditions can be combined into 3 groups:

1) organisms that live on the surface of the ocean and in the water column and do not have active means of transportation;

2) organisms actively moving in the water column;

3) organisms that live on the bottom.

An analysis of living organisms and their habitats suggests that the ocean is unevenly populated by organisms. Especially densely populated are coastal areas with depths of up to 200 meters, well-lit and warmed by sunlight. On the mainland, you can see forests and meadows of algae - pastures for fish and other inhabitants of the ocean. Away from the coast, large algae are rare, as the sun's rays hardly penetrate the water column. Plankton reigns here (Greek planktos - wandering). These are plants and animals that are not able to withstand currents that carry them over considerable distances. Most of these organisms are very small, many of them are visible only under a microscope. There are phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton is a variety of algae developed in the upper, illuminated layer of water. Zooplankton inhabits the entire water column: these are small crustaceans, numerous protozoa (unicellular animals with microscopic dimensions). Plankton is the staple food of most ocean dwellers. Naturally, the areas rich in it are also rich in fish. They can also live here baleen whales, in the diet of which plankton occupies the main place.

Benthos lives on the bottom of the sea or ocean (Greek benthos - deep). This is a combination of plant and animal organisms living on the ground or in the soil of the seabed. Brown and red algae, mollusks, crustaceans and others belong to benthos. Among them, shrimp, oysters, scallops, lobsters, and crabs are of great commercial importance. Bentos is an excellent food base for walruses, sea otters and some species of fish.

The depths of the ocean are sparsely populated, but they are not lifeless. Of course, there are no more plants there, but in complete darkness, under great pressure, amazing fish swim in cold water: they have huge toothy mouths, glowing torsos, and “lanterns” on their heads. Some of them are blind, others may be poorly seen in the dark. They feed on the remains of organisms falling from above, or eat each other. Many bacteria live in the water column and live in the deepest water masses. Thanks to their activities, dead organisms decompose and the elements necessary for the nourishment of living beings are released.

Actively moving organisms live everywhere in the ocean. These are a variety of fish, marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals, walruses), sea snakes, squids, turtles and others.

Life in the ocean is unevenly distributed not only in depth, but also depending on geographical latitude. Due to low temperatures and long polar nights, polar waters are poor in plankton. Most of all it develops in the waters. temperate zone both hemispheres. Here are the currents strong winds contribute to the mixing of water masses and the raising of deep waters, their enrichment with nutrients and oxygen. Due to the strong development of plankton develop and different kinds fish therefore temperate latitudes - the most fishy areas of the ocean. In tropical latitudes, the number of living organisms decreases, as these waters are very warm, very salty and poorly mixed with deep water masses. In equatorial latitudes, the number of organisms is increasing again.

The ocean has long been the breadwinner of man. It is fishing for fish, invertebrates, mammals, it collects algae, produces mineral wealth, secrete substances that are raw materials for medicines. The ocean is so rich that it seemed to people inexhaustible. Entire fleets of ships of different states went to fish and whale fishing. The largest whales are blue. Their mass reaches 150 tons. As a result of the predatory fishing of this animal, blue whales were threatened with extermination. In 1987 Soviet Union stopped whaling. The number of fish in the ocean has also decreased markedly.

The problems of the oceans are not the concern of any one state, but of the whole world, and it is impossible to solve them within the framework of one state. The future depends on how rationally humanity decides them.

The ocean is an endless expanse of trillions of liters of salt water. Thousands of species of living creatures have found shelter here. Some of them are thermophilic and live at shallow depths, so as not to miss the rays of the sun. Others are accustomed to the cold waters of the Arctic and try to avoid warm currents. There are even those who live at the bottom of the ocean, adapted to the conditions of a harsh world.

Recent representatives are the greatest mystery to scientists. After all, until recently, they could not even think that someone was able to survive in such extreme conditions. Moreover, evolution has rewarded these living organisms with a number of unprecedented features.

Under the thickness of the oceans

For a long time there was a theory that there is no life at the bottom of the ocean. The reason for this is the low temperature of the water, as well as the high pressure that can compress the submarine, like a can of soda. Nevertheless, some creatures were able to withstand these circumstances and confidently settled at the very edge of the bottomless abyss.

So who lives at the bottom of the ocean? First of all, these are bacteria, traces of which were found at a depth of more than 5 thousand meters. But if microscopic creatures are unlikely to surprise ordinary personthen giant mollusks and monster fish deserve due attention.

How did you find out about those who live on the ocean floor?

With the development of submarines, it became possible to dive to a depth of two kilometers. This allowed scientists to look into a world hitherto unprecedented and amazing. Each dive made it possible to open another to see more and more new species.

And the rapid development of digital technology has allowed the creation of heavy-duty cameras that can shoot underwater. Thanks to this, the world saw photographs depicting animals living on the ocean floor.

And every year, scientists go deeper and deeper in the hope of new discoveries. And they are happening - over the past decade, many amazing conclusions have been made. In addition, hundreds or even thousands of photos were posted on the network, which depict the inhabitants of the deep sea.

Creatures living on the ocean floor

Well, it's time to go on a short journey into the mysterious depths. Having passed the threshold of 200 meters, it is difficult to distinguish even small silhouettes, and after 500 meters there is total darkness. From this moment, the possessions of those who are indifferent to light and heat begin.

It is at such a depth that you can meet a multi-bristle worm that drifts from place to place in search of profit. In the light of the lamps, it shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow, a word made of silver plates. On his head is a series of tentacles, thanks to which he is oriented in space and feels the approach of prey.

But the worm itself is food for another inhabitant of the underwater world - the sea angel. This amazing creature belongs to the class of gastropods and is a predator. It got its name because of two large fins, which cover its sides, like wings.

If you go down even deeper, you can stumble upon the queen of jellyfish. The hairy Cyanie, or Lion's Mane is the largest representative of its kind. Large individuals in their diameter reach 2 meters, and their tentacles are able to stretch almost 20 meters.

Who lives at the bottom of the ocean yet? This is a squat lobster. According to scientists, he can adapt to life even at a depth of 5 thousand meters. Thanks to his flattened body, he calmly tolerates pressure, and long legs allow you to easily move along the muddy bottom of the ocean.

Deep sea fish

For hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, fish living on the ocean floor have been able to adapt to existence without sunlight. Moreover, some of them even learned to produce their own light.

So, at the mark of 1 thousand meters there lives a monkfish. On his head there is a process that emits a small glow that lures other fish. Because of this, he is also called the "European angler." At the same time, he himself can change his color, thereby merging with the environment.

Another representative of deep-sea creatures is a drop fish. Her body resembles jelly, which allows pressure to be transferred at great depths. She eats exclusively plankton, which makes her harmless to her neighbors.

A stargazer fish lives at the bottom of the oceans, the second name is the celestial eye. The reason for this pun was the eyes always directed upward, as if looking out for the stars. Her body is covered with poisonous thorns, and near her head are tentacles that can paralyze the victim.

Ocean water contains substances necessary for life. Living creatures are found in the ocean at any depth. They exist even at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point of the World Ocean, at a depth of 11 thousand meters, even where hot magma flows from the depths of the Earth through faults, even where there are high temperatures and huge pressure. One can safely say that life in the ocean is pervasive.

Life in the ocean is extremely diverse - more than 200,000 species of organisms live there, due to the fact that its conditions from the poles to the equator, from the surface of the water masses to the deep ones are very different. By the diversity of plant and animal species, the ocean is comparable to land. The ocean is still full of secrets now. When exploring the depths of the sea, organisms unknown to science are found.

Inhabitants of the oceans

All inhabitants of the oceans according to their living conditions can be combined into 3 groups:

1) Organisms that live on the surface of the ocean and in the water column and do not have active means of transportation (plankton).

2) Organisms actively moving in the water column (nekton).

3) Organisms that live on the bottom (benthos).

Plankton

An analysis of living organisms and their habitats suggests that the ocean is unevenly populated by organisms. Especially densely populated are coastal areas with depths of up to 200 meters, well-lit and warmed by sunlight. On the mainland, you can see forests and meadows of algae - pastures for fish and other inhabitants of the ocean.

Away from the coast, large algae are rare, as the sun's rays hardly penetrate the water column. Plankton reigns here (Greek planktos - wandering). These are plants and animals that are not able to withstand currents that carry them over considerable distances. Most of these organisms are very small, many of them are visible only under a microscope. There are phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton are various algae. Zooplankton inhabits the entire water column: these are small crustaceans, numerous protozoa.

Plankton is the staple food of most ocean dwellers. Naturally, the areas rich in it are also rich in fish. Baleen whales can also live here, in the diet of which plankton occupies the main place.

Actively moving organisms everywhere live in the ocean - nekton (Greek nektós - floating, floating) nektonmost fish, pinniped animals (seals and walruses), cetaceans (whales, sperm whales), cephalopods (squids, octopuses, etc.), sea snakes and turtles belong to the majority of fish. All those related to nekton usually have a streamlined body shape that helps them move quickly in the water.

Benthos lives on the bottom of the sea or ocean (Greek benthos - deep). This is a combination of plant and animal organisms living on the ground or in the soil of the seabed. Brown and red algae, mollusks, crustaceans and others belong to benthos. Benthos serves as food for many fish and other aquatic animals.

In the distribution of benthos, vertical zoning is observed: mollusks and crustaceans predominate in the upper horizons, mollusks and echinoderms in the middle and crustaceans and echinoderms in the deeper.

The depths of the ocean

The depths of the ocean are sparsely populated, but they are not lifeless. Of course, there are no more plants there, but in complete darkness, under great pressure, amazing fish swim in cold water: they have huge toothy mouths, luminous torsos, and “lanterns” on their heads. Some of them are blind, others may be poorly seen in the dark. They feed on the remains of organisms falling from above, or eat each other

Placement of life

Life in the ocean is unevenly distributed not only in depth, but also depending on geographical latitude. Due to low temperatures and long polar nights, polar waters are poor in plankton. Most of it develops in the waters of the temperate zone of both hemispheres. Here currents, strong winds contribute to the mixing of water masses and the rise of deep waters, their enrichment with nutrients and oxygen. Due to the strong development of plankton, various species of fish also develop, so temperate latitudes are the most fishy areas of the ocean. In tropical latitudes, the number of living organisms decreases, as these waters are very warm, very salty and poorly mixed with deep water masses. In equatorial latitudes, the number of organisms is increasing again. The ocean has long been the breadwinner of man.

The work was prepared by a student of 6 "a" class Khrabrov Nikita

- (from Greek. benthos depth), benthic organisms, a set of organisms living on the bottom of reservoirs adapted to the corresponding substrate (litho, psammo, pelo, argillo, phytophilic species). Benthos is divided into plant (phytobenthos), ... ... Ecological Dictionary

- (from the Greek. benthos depth) the totality of organisms that live on the ground and in the ground bottom of water bodies. Sea benthos serves as food for many fish and other aquatic animals, and is also used by humans (e.g. algae, oysters, crabs, some fish) ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (from Greek. benthos depth), a set of organisms that live on the ground and in the ground of marine and continental bodies of water. B. is divided into plant (phytobenthos) and animal (zoobenthos). In zoobenthos distinguish animals living in the thickness of the soil ... ... Biological Encyclopedic Dictionary

BENTOS, flora and fauna of bottom or bottom sections of the sea. The fauna includes motionlessly attached forms, such as sponges, crabs and snails freely moving along the bottom, as well as buried in the ground, such as worms, as well as countless ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

The set of organisms that live on the ground and in the ground of water bodies. (Source: “Microbiology: Glossary of Terms”, Firsov NN, M: Bustard, 2006) ... Dictionary of Microbiology

Exist., Number of synonyms: 7 macrobenthos (1) mesobenthos (1) microbenthos (1) ... Synonym dictionary

Organisms that inhabit the bottom of the reservoir. There are halobenthos inhabiting the bottom of the sea, and limnobenthos inhabiting the bottom of fresh water. Depending on the lifestyle of animals B. can be sedentary and mobile. Geological dictionary: in 2 volumes. M .: Subsoil ... Geological Encyclopedia

Benthos - a set of macroorganisms living at the bottom of reservoirs ... Source: MU 1.2.2743 10. 1.2. Hygiene, toxicology, sanitation. Sampling procedure for the identification and identification of nanomaterials in water bodies. Methodical instructions (approved. ... ... Official terminology

The set of organisms that live at the bottom of water bodies. It consists of organisms of different trophic groups: * producers (microscopic and large algae, flowering plants and horsetails); * detritophages eating the remains of dead animals and ... ... Glossary of Business Terms

BENTHOS - (from the Greek. benthos depth), a community of marine or freshwater plants and animals, covering those forms of them, which in their development are closely related to the surface of the bottom, coasts and various underwater objects. KB relate as forms motionless ... ... Big Medical Encyclopedia

benthos - Organisms leading a benthic lifestyle. B. can be sedentary and mobile. [Dictionary of geological terms and concepts. Tomsk State University] Topics geology, geophysics General terms geological activity marine-exogenous ... Technical Translator Reference

Books

• Life at the bottom. Bio-geography and bio-ecology of benthos, O. V. Maksimova. The book analyzes various approaches and views on the structure of the biosphere mainly on the example of the biogeography and ecology of marine benthos. The main aspects of biology are considered ... electronic book
• Benthos of salmon rivers of the Urals and Timan, Shubin V. .. The monograph summarizes the results of many years (1958-2004) of hydrobiological studies carried out on streams flowing from the Timan Ridge and the western slope of the Ural Mountains and ...