scattering layer

American  

[skat-er-ing lay-er] / ˈskæt ər ɪŋ ˈleɪ ər /

noun

1. Oceanography. deep scattering layer.

---

scattering layer Scientific  

1. A concentrated layer of marine organisms found in most oceanic waters that reflects and scatters sound waves, as from sonar. The layer is of varying composition and can include both plankton and nekton (free-swimming organisms such as copepods, krill, and small fish). Scattering layers, which may occur at more than one depth in the same location, typically move upward at night to feed on phytoplankton and downward during the day, as deep as 1,000 m (3,280 ft), probably to escape predators.

2. Also called deep scattering layer

---

Example Sentences

While defense tactics are undisputedly important, it’s the immense biogeochemical impact of the organisms in the deep scattering layer that motivates the research of oceanographers using these acoustic techniques today.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2015

Despite the new sonar machines developed for war ships, for a time it remained impossible to resolve the mysteries of what the deep scattering layer contained.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2015

When it comes to sheer biomass and relative distance traveled however, birds, butterflies and grandparents have nothing on the zooplankton that make up the deep scattering layer.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2015

It's zooplankton. The deep scattering layer is a stampede of sea monkeys whose combined biomass renders their nightly trek to feed on phytoplankton near the surface the largest animal migration on the planet.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2015

The dominant feature in the plots rendered by acoustic queries into the benthos is still that dense, impenetrable cloud of the deep scattering layer.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2015