The correct answer to the question is the neritic zone.
Here's an explanation to help you understand why:
1. The neritic zone is a shallow marine life zone that extends from the low tide mark to the edge of the continental shelf.
2. It is rich in nutrients and supports a diverse range of marine life due to its proximity to the coast where runoff from the land provides nutrients for marine organisms.
3. This zone is analogous to the littoral zone in lakes, which is the shallow area near the shore where sunlight penetrates to the bottom, supporting a variety of plant and animal life.
4. The other options provided in the question such as the bathyal zone, hadal zone, and abyssal zone, refer to deeper ocean zones with specific characteristics that differentiate them from the shallow neritic zone.
In conclusion, the neritic zone is the correct answer as it shares similarities with the littoral zone in lakes in terms of its shallow and nutrient-rich characteristics, supporting a diverse ecosystem close to the coast.
