What is the Difference Between Photic and Aphotic Zone?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The photic and aphotic zones are two vertical zones in the ocean categorized based on the presence and absence of light. The main differences between these zones are:
- Light penetration: The photic zone receives sunlight and is located at the surface of the ocean, extending up to 200 meters deep. In contrast, the aphotic zone does not receive sunlight and extends from 200 meters to the bottom of the ocean.
- Photosynthesis: The photic zone allows photosynthesis, making it suitable for photosynthetic organisms. On the other hand, the aphotic zone prevents photosynthesis due to the lack of light.
- Biodiversity: The photic zone is rich in biodiversity, with a high diversity of organisms compared to the aphotic zone.
In summary, the photic zone is the part of the ocean that receives sunlight and supports photosynthesis, while the aphotic zone is the portion of the ocean that does not receive sunlight and lacks photosynthetic organisms.
Comparative Table: Photic vs Aphotic Zone
Here is a table comparing the differences between the photic and aphotic zones:
Feature | Photic Zone | Aphotic Zone |
---|---|---|
Sunlight Penetration | Sunlight reaches this zone | Sunlight does not reach this zone |
Location | Ocean surface to 200 meters deep | 200 meters deep to the ocean bottom |
Photosynthesis | Photosynthetic organisms can be found in this zone, and the diversity of organisms is high | Photosynthetic organisms are not found in this layer, and the diversity of organisms is low |
Temperature | Generally higher | Generally lower |
Water Pressure | Lower water pressure | Higher water pressure |
The photic zone is the uppermost zone of the ocean that receives sunlight, extending from the ocean surface to 200 meters deep. This zone supports photosynthetic organisms and has a high diversity of organisms due to the presence of sunlight. On the other hand, the aphotic zone does not receive sunlight, extending from 200 meters deep to the bottom of the ocean. This zone lacks photosynthetic organisms and has a low diversity of organisms due to the absence of sunlight and the lower temperature and higher water pressure compared to the photic zone.
- Zooplankton vs Phytoplankton
- Benthic vs Pelagic
- Oxygenic vs Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
- Biotic vs Abiotic
- Phototropism vs Geotropism
- Schizophyta vs Cyanophyta
- Fluorescence vs Phosphorescence
- Phototrophs vs Chemotrophs
- Rhizosphere vs Phyllosphere
- Cytochrome vs Phytochrome
- Luminescence vs Phosphorescence
- Photoluminescence vs Fluorescence
- Photoperiodism vs Phototropism
- Ecocline vs Ecotone
- Terrestrial vs Aquatic Biomes
- Photometry vs Spectrophotometry
- Heliophytes vs Sciophytes
- Chlorophyta vs Charophyta
- Plants Grown in Light vs Dark