bathypelagic zone

[ băth′ə-pə-lăjĭk ]

A layer of the oceanic zone lying below the mesopelagic zone and above the abyssopelagic zone, at depths generally between about 1,000 and 4,000 m (3,280-13,120 ft). The bathypelagic zone receives no sunlight and water pressure is considerable. The abundance and diversity of marine life decreases with depth through this and the lower zones.