Marine Habitats
By Jennifer Kennedy, About.com Guide
Gulf of Mexico
Learn about the marine habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, including marine life that live there, and the potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil leak that began in April 2010.
- Gulf of Mexico Habitat
- Marine Life in the Gulf of Mexico
- Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico
Coral Reefs
While tropical reefs are more well-known, cold water coral reefs exist, too. Learn about coral reefs, how they form and why they are important.
- Facts About Corals and Coral Reefs
- How Do Coral Reefs Form?
- Coral Reef Habitat
- What is Coral Bleaching?
- Great Barrier Reef in Australia - Location, Marine Life and Conservation
Intertidal Zone
The intertidal zone is where land meets sea. It is a challenging environment in which to live, but many species thrive here.
Mangroves
The term “mangrove” refers to a habitat comprised of a number of halophytic (salt-tolerant) plant species, of which there are more than 12 families and 50 species worldwide. Mangroves grow in intertidal or estuarine areas.
Pelagic Zone
The open ocean, or pelagic zone, is the area of the ocean outside of coastal areas, and where you’ll find some of the biggest marine life species.
Deep Sea
The deep sea includes the deepest, darkest, coldest parts of the ocean. Eighty percent of the ocean consists of waters greater than 1,000 meters in depth.
Hydrothermal Vents
Hydrothermal vents, located in the deep sea, were discovered relatively recently. It was only about 30 years ago that scientists in the submersible Alvin discovered these undersea "geysers."