benthic

adjective

Meaning

Relating to or occurring at the bottom of a body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or river.

Examples

  • Benthic organisms like crabs and starfish have adapted to survive under the immense pressure of the deep sea.
  • Scientists collected soil samples from the benthic zone to study how pollutants settle in the riverbed.

Synonyms: bottom, deep, subaqueous, abyssal