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I. The Abyss Abyss – the region of the ocean basin that lies below the continental slope a. largest habitat on Earth (60% of Earth’s surface) b. half of the planet’s surface is covered in water at least 4,000 meters deep c. visible light only penetrates to 600 meters d. tremendous pressure and near-freezing water temperatures (2-3°C) create unique living conditions for these benthic creatures II. Life in the Abyss a. no sunlight therefore no photosynthetic plant life b. Sea Vents – fissures in the seafloor from which compounds spew upward from the Earth’s core, supporting communities of abyssal organisms i. Ocean water seeps into cracks in the sea and is heated by magma from inside the earth ii. Water in these hydrothermal vents reaches temperatures of 375° C and higher and is rich in dissolved minerals iii. The hot water rises from the vents in geysers and meets cold ocean water, causing minerals to precipitate out of solution as the water cools iv. In some places compounds of iron and sulfides form "chimneys" on top of the vents c. chemosynthetic bacteria convert sulfur from the vents into carbohydrates for use by simple animals i. clams, mussels, & worms, all lacking mouths and stomachs, thrive because of the presence of bacteria in their body tissues ii. Tubeworms grow near the boundary of where the hot vent fluid mixes with the cold seawater. These strange creatures can grow over 8 feet tall. iii. many other organisms feed on detritus – small, decaying particles of dead plants and animals that sink to the ocean’s depths III. Bioluminescence – light produced by living things a. Photophores – bacteria or specialized cells that cause the body or body parts to glow b. the light helps to lure prey or identify mates IV. Abyssal Organisms a. Anglerfish – distinctive feature, worn only by females, is a piece of dorsal spine that protrudes above their mouths like a fishing pole, tipped with a lure of luminous flesh, this built-in rod baits prey close enough to be snatched. b. Giant Squid c. Black Swallower d. Tripod Fish