epipelagic

[ ep-ee-puh-laj-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the stratum of the oceanic zone where enough light is present for photosynthesis to occur.

epipelagic

/ ˌɛpɪpəˈlædʒɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or inhabiting the upper zone of the ocean from just below the surface to approximately 100 metres deep

Word History and Origins

Origin of epipelagic¹

First recorded in 1935–40; epi- + pelagic

Example Sentences

For instance, a variety of plants and animals thrive in the epipelagic, or sunlight, zone—the top layer of water, where light is strong and pressure is relatively low.

From Scientific American

The thin, top layer is the “sunlight” or epipelagic zone, which receives enough light for photosynthesis by phytoplankton, algae and some bacteria.

From Scientific American

"These rays, in effect, connect the surface, epipelagic layers in the ocean, with the deep - the twilight zone."

From BBC