The euphotic realm
Stal, L.J. (2016). The euphotic realm, in: Stal, L.J. et al. (Ed.) The marine microbiome. An untapped source of biodiversity and biotechnological potential. pp. 209-225. dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33000-6_7 In: Stal, L.J.; Cretoiu, M.S. (Ed.) (2016). The marine microbiome: An untapped source of biodiversity and biotechnological potential. Springer International Publishing: Switzerland. ISBN 978-3-319-32998-7. XIV, 498 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33000-6, more |
| Abstract | The euphotic realm of the ocean is defined as the zone that receives enough light to allow photosynthesis. The bottom of the euphotic zone is often set as the depth at which 1 % of the incident sunlight is still available, which is in the open oligotrophic ocean approximately 200 m below the surface. In more turbid coastal waters, the euphotic zone ends at much shallower waters. Whether or not photosynthesis occurs at 1 % of the incident light intensity depends first on the actual value of the latter, on the sun angle, and not in the last place on the organism considered. Even among the same species low and high-light adapted ecotypes exist. The euphotic realm is important because it provides the primary production for the food web of the whole ocean. The microbiome of this realm is therefore characterized by microorganisms that use light. The composition of the microbiome and the ecology is intimately associated with the physicochemical characteristics of the euphotic realm. |
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