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euphotic

euphotic

1 9.6
Upper layer of water that gets enough sunlight for plants to make food
  • adjective
  • /juˈfoʊtɪk/
  • Specialized
: eufótica
  • The euphotic layer of the ocean is crucial for marine life, as it receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
  • euphotic zone

Examples

  • During the summer, the euphotic regions of lakes become vibrant with plant life due to abundant sunlight and warm temperatures.

  • Species of Corallium exist below the euphotic zone at depths between 350 and 1,500 m, where temperature varies between 14 degrees and 3 degrees C. Resource management

    Academic text (1993)
  • All species lack symbiotic algae in their tissues (ahermatypic), and most are found in deep water below the euphotic zone (Table 4).

    Academic text (1993)
  • Primary production of plankton in the surface, illuminated (euphotic) zones of dry valley lakes is limited by the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus (Priscu 1995), which are at low concentrations despite the large pools of nutrients in deeper water (Tables 1 and 2).

    Academic text (1999)
  • Coral reefs thrive in the euphotic zone where sunlight penetrates the water, promoting the growth of symbiotic algae.

Synonyms

photic
vseuphotic
  • Specialized
1 8.8

Connected with light and its effects on living things

specifies sufficient light to allow photosynthesis in upper waters
limnetic
vseuphotic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Open sunlit water in a lake away from the shore

is defined by sufficient light for photosynthesis in upper water
epilimnetic
vseuphotic
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to the top layer of a lake where the water forms layers

focuses on having enough light for photosynthesis rather than depth

How Bright

bright
510 1.0
euphotic
  • Specialized
1 9.6
dim
74 1.0
aphotic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Surface Forms

euphotic positive

Morphology

euphotic = photic (semi-transparent) = eu + photic

Formally analyzable as eu- + photic, but both the Greek prefix 'eu-' and the adjective 'photic' are somewhat technical; the specific sense 'enough light for photosynthesis' is specialized and may not be obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Euphotic comes from the Greek parts eu- 'good' and phot- 'light', so it means 'well-lit'. Think of photo in photograph, which is about light; the euphotic zone is the 'well-lit' top layer of water where plants can make food with sunlight.