Marine Biomes
Marine Biomes
Shonda Morton
October 20, 2013
SCI/230
Paula Roberts
A marine biome is a large aquatic zone that takes up almost 75% of Earth's surface, has a salt
concentration around 3%, and is distinguished from other biomes by its physical environment.
According to Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, (2010), the habitats of a marine biome
varies depending on the level of the sea that it exists (pp.382). The layers or "zones" that make up
the marine biome consist of the pelagic realm, the intertidal zone, the photic zone, the aphotic zone,
and the benthic realm. The pelagic realm is the part of the marine biome that includes all open water.
(Dickey, Reece, & Simon, 2010) explains "the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Other marine life that exist in this ecosystem prey on other species for food, such as shark, octopus,
and larger fish prey on smaller marine life for food. Herbivory is a large part of the marine life,
which is the consumption of plant parts or algae by an animal. Phytoplankton, known as algae and
other plants of the marine environment is the producer for food of many species living in this
ecosystem. The consumer relies directly or indirectly on the output of the producers. A main hazard
to this ecosystem caused by humans would be pollution. The acid precipitation, toxic chemicals, and
other contaminants are harming the aquatic environment, and it contributes to the dwindling
population of species in this ecosystem. According to (Dickey, Reece & Simon, 2010), this human
behavior has contributed to the decline in commercial fish species, dying coral reefs, and even the
closing of some beaches due to pollution. The abiotic factors present in this ecosystem consist of
temperature, light, water, minerals, and air. Majority of organisms living in this aquatic environment
require specific temperatures to survive, although temperatures can vary according to the species.
Obviously, water is a part of the aquatic environment, and is actually essential to all parts of life.
Light plays a major part in the photosynthesis process for many organisms
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