neritic pelagic zone biome neritic epipelagic zone biome 2010-03-15T11:22:09Z ENVO ENVO:01000042 ORCID:0000-0002-4366-3088 The neritic epipelagic zone biome comprises the marine water column that occurs above a continental shelf and extends from the surface of the ocean to a depth of ca. 200-250m. Throughout the zone the light field tends to be asymmetrical vertically, so that the direction and elevation of the sun can still be detected. The epipelagic zone encompasses the euphotic zone and, where and when it occurs, the seasonal thermocline.