Intertidal Zones

Intertidal Zones





Intertidal Zones are really quite simple. Intertidal Zones are the areas between the high and low tide, or where the sea meets the shore. It is only underwater part of the time. As the tides rise and fall twice each day, the intertidal zone alternates between being underwater and being exposed to air. Due to these extremely changeable conditions of temperature, salinity and moisture, the rich variety of animal and plant species that lives in the intertidal zone must adapt to an environment that is often harsh, with rough waves, blistering hot sun and fierce winds. The water pressure is almost exactly the same as the air/above water pressure, and the water density is 1/1, or normal water density. All kinds of small creatures live here, such as sand crabs, sea gulls, occasionally sea turtles during certain times of the year, and oysters, Ribbed Mussels, and others. Intertidal zones are obviously located all around the world, because tides are on all coasts all around the world.

Sources: http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/60006.aspx