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The 'aphotic zone' is the portion of a lake or ocean that is not exposed to sunlight. No light other than bioluminescence is found in this zone. Most food comes from dead organisms sinking to the bottom of the lake or ocean from other zones.
The depth of the aphotic zone can be greatly affected by such things as turbidity and the season of the year. The aphotic zone underlies the photic zone, which is that portion of the ocean directly affected by sunlight.
The aphotic zone of the ocean is 0.9 - 4.6 km (3,000 - 15,000 feet) deep and the temperatures range from 0 - 6°C (32 - 43°F). Unusual and unique creatures dwell in this expanse of pitch black water, such as the gulper eel, the giant squid, the anglerfish, and the vampire squid.

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See also

See also

★ Abyssal zone

★ Benthic Zone

★ Pelagic zone

★ Photic zone