benthic
BEN-thik
/ˈben.θɪk/
Relating to, living on, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water, including the ocean floor or lake bed.
Describes sea-floor habitats and bottom-dwelling organisms attached to or crawling on sediment.
The story behind the word. From Greek benthos, meaning depth or deep sea floor. Introduced into modern science in the late 19th century to contrast with surface aquatic life.
Word relationships
- bottom-dwelling: Bottom-dwelling is informal; benthic is the scientific term used in ecological research.
- pelagic: Pelagic refers to organisms inhabiting the open water column away from the floor.
Commonly confused with
- demersal: Demersal live near the seafloor but can swim above it, while benthic organisms live directly on or in the seafloor.
Word family
- benthos (noun): The flora and fauna living on the ocean floor.
Collocations
- benthic zone
- benthic organism
- benthic fauna
- benthic sediment
Example sentences
- "Crabs, sea anemones, and flounder are classic examples of benthic organisms living on the seafloor." Ocean ecology
Memory hook
BENTHIC: organisms BEND down on the sea bed. Living right on the sea floor.
When not to use
Do not use for organisms that swim freely in open surface water.
Fun facts
- Benthic organisms range from microscopic worms buried in mud to massive deep-sea glass sponges that live for thousands of years.
Related words
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