Relating to the surface layer of the open ocean, extending from the surface down to about 200 meters depth. This zone receives abundant sunlight and supports most marine photosynthesis.
From Greek 'epi' meaning 'upon' or 'above' and 'pelagic' from Greek 'pelagikos' meaning 'of the sea.' The term emerged in the mid-20th century as oceanographers developed a systematic way to classify ocean depth zones.
The epipelagic zone is like the ocean's bustling downtown - it contains 90% of all marine life despite being only 2% of the ocean's volume! This sunlit layer is where dolphins leap, tuna hunt, and microscopic phytoplankton produce more oxygen than all the world's forests combined.
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