FACTS ABOUT THE DEEP SEA ENVIRONMENT

  • It's deep: average depth of ocean is 3,800 m; deepest trenches reach ~11,000 m.

  • Ergo, hydrostatic pressures are high: pressure increases by 1 atmosphere for each 10 m increase in depth - pressures may reach ~1,100 atmospheres.

  • Temperatures are low: only a few degree above 0 degrees Centigrade in most regions.

  • Temperatures are low: only a few degree above 0 degrees Centigrade in most regions.

  • Hydrothermal vent temperatures may be high, up to ~ 400 degrees Centigrade.

  • It's dark.

  • It may be very low in oxygen (oxygen minimum layers)

  • But...despite all of this...life goes on there.