Definition of "euphotic" []

• Of, relating to, or being the uppermost layer of a body of water that receives sufficient light for photosynthesis and the growth of green plants. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Carbonate shell sinking is also an efficient means of removing organic carbon from the euphotic zone (see Biological Pump above)."
• "The efficiency of retention is strongly determined by the occurrence of a match (where zooplankton are available to graze and recycle the primary production) or mismatch (where zooplankton are not present in sufficient numbers and primary production sinks out of the euphotic zone to be grazed by the benthos)."
• "This primary production may be retained by recycling within the euphotic zone or exported to deeper waters and be available for the benthos."