Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
High tide
Sun
Low tide
Coastal Zone
Open Sea
Sea level
Depth in
meters
0
50
Estuarine
Zone
Euphotic Zone
100
Continental
shelf
200
500
Bathyal Zone
1,000
1,500
2,000
Abyssal
Zone
3,000
4,000
5,000
10,000
Figure 5-26
Natural capital:
major life zones in an ocean (not drawn to scale). Actual depths of zones may vary.
Figure 5-27
Natural capital degrada-
tion:
view of an
estuary
taken from
space. The photo shows the sediment
plume at the mouth of Madagascar's
Betsiboka River as it flows through the
estuary and into the Mozambique
Channel. Because of its topography,
heavy rainfall, and the clearing of
forests for agriculture, Madagascar is
the world's most eroded country.
