Benthic zone

The benthic zone, from Ancient Greek βένθος (bénthos) 'the depths of the ocean', is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water, such as a stream, river, lake, or ocean, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Organisms living in this zone are called benthos or, more informally, bottom dwellers. They include microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, as well as larger invertebrates such as crustaceans and polychaetes. Benthos generally live in close relationship with the substrate and many are permanently attached to the bottom. The benthic boundary layer, which includes the bottom layer of water and the uppermost layer of sediment directly influenced by the overlying water, is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it greatly influences the biological activity that takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include sand bottoms, rocky outcrops, coral, and bay mud.