Subject: benthic animals
Dagmar Fertl (Dagmar.Fertl@mms.gov)
Thu, 15 Apr 1999 08:29:16 -0400
Why are most benthic animals found in water less than 30 m deep? Seth.
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Seth,
There are more critters (increased biomass) in shallow water, basically, because
there is more food there (close to shore, where there are lots of nutrients
coming off the land). This is true for an entire continental shelf area, which
would be deeper than the 30 m you're asking about. There are local differences
worldwide though.
Hope this helps. I got the quick and dirty answer from the office's
oceanography expert.
Dagmar