aphotic zone

aphotic zone (plural aphotic zones)

1. (oceanography) That part of the deep body of an ocean or lake that receives insufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to be possible.

(Divisions of the aphotic zone in order):

• mesopelagic zone or twilight zone
• bathypelagic zone or bathyal zone or midnight zone
• abyssopelagic zone or abyssal zone
• hadopelagic zone or hadalpelagic zone or hadal zone

• pelagic zone
• photic zone