- Pelagic zone: This refers to the open waters of the ocean, away from the coast and the bottom. Organisms that live in the pelagic zone are adapted to swimming and floating, and they include various species of fish, jellyfish, plankton, and marine mammals.
- Benthic zone: This refers to the bottom of the ocean, including the continental shelf, slope, and abyssal plain. Benthic organisms are adapted to living on or within the seafloor, including seaweeds, corals, sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish species that live near the bottom.
- Intertidal zone: This is the area between the high tide line and the low tide line, where the environment changes constantly due to the rise and fall of tides. Organisms that live in the intertidal zone are adapted to withstand changes in salinity, temperature, and exposure to waves and currents. Examples include barnacles, mussels, limpets, sea anemones, and crabs.
- Estuarine zone: Estuaries are partially enclosed coastal bodies of water where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean. The mixing of these waters creates a unique environment, with varying salinity levels and high nutrient concentrations. Organisms that live in estuaries include fish species like flounder, striped bass, and salmon, as well as crabs, shrimp, and various plant species.
- Abyssopelagic zone: This is the deepest part of the ocean, where the water is cold, dark, and under high pressure. Organisms that live in the abyssopelagic zone are adapted to extreme conditions and include deep-sea fish, squid, jellyfish, and various invertebrate species.
- Hadalpelagic zone: This is the deepest part of the ocean, found in the deepest trenches and canyons. Conditions in the hadalpelagic zone are even more extreme than in the abyssopelagic zone, with extremely high pressure, cold temperatures, and limited food resources. Organisms that live in this zone include specialized species of fish, sea cucumbers, and other deep-sea creatures.