Aphotic

Quick meaning: Aphotic is an adjective meaning Having no light, especially no sunlight.

Meaning

Having no light, especially no sunlight.

More Meanings

1. (biology, oceanography) Describing that part of deep lakes and oceans where less than one per cent of sunlight penetrates and where photosynthesis is not possible.

Example Sentences

We have bacteria classified as aërobic and anaërobic, according as they thrive with or without access of air. We need to classify bacteria as photic and aphotic.

Large systems can always be subdivided. A large lake, for example, will have a surface photic environment, an aphotic system on the lakebed and a coastal system at the land–water interface.

Respiration and organic matter decomposition occur through the water column, and depending on the amount of organic matter present and the extent of wind-mixing, can deplete the dissolved oxygen supply in aphotic (unlighted) layers.

Photographically the light of the sun is detectable in exceptionally clear-water tropical seas to a depth of about 2,000 feet, but Johnstone places the average depth for all waters at 650 feet, beyond which there is more or less of total darkness, the aphotic realm.

Synonyms for aphotic

Depending on context, synonyms include dark.

Antonyms for aphotic

Common opposites include photic.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dark, lightless, anoxic, opacous, darkened, azoic.

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