Bathyal District (Noun)
Meaning
The steep descent of the seabed from the continental shelf to the abyssal zone.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The bathyal district is characterized by a dramatic drop in sunlight penetration, resulting in a unique community of deep-sea creatures.
- As the continental shelf gives way to the bathyal district, the seafloor drops off precipitously, plunging into the dark, icy waters of the abyss.
- The bathyal district is a transitional zone, where the gentle slopes of the continental shelf meet the steep, rocky walls of the abyssal plain.
- Marine biologists have identified a diverse array of species that thrive in the bathyal district, including deep-sea fish, corals, and sponges.
- The bathyal district is a critical component of the global ocean ecosystem, supporting a complex food web that relies on the nutritious upwelling of deep-sea water.