word

Pelagic zone

peh-LAJ-ik ZOHN

/pəˈlædʒɪk zoʊn/

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Syllable breakdown

pelagiczone

Dictionary meaning

The open water column of the ocean, away from the shore and the seafloor, encompassing the entire water body from the surface to the ocean floor excluding the benthic region, and further subdivided into epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, and other layers.

Examples

Tuna, sharks, and dolphins are characteristic inhabitants of the pelagic zone.
Pelagic zone research requires specialised deep-diving submersibles.

Synonyms: open ocean zone, water column

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