IPA: /ˈbɛnθəl/
KK: /ˈbɛnθəl/
Connected to the lowest part of the ocean, where the water is very deep.
The benthal zone is home to many unique species of marine life.
The word 'benthal' originates from the combination of 'benthic' (from Greek 'benthos', meaning depth or bottom) and the suffix '-al' (meaning pertaining to). Thus, 'benthal' refers to something pertaining to the bottom of a body of water.
Think of 'benthic' which relates to the bottom of the sea, and remember that 'benthal' means pertaining to that underwater depth.