Submarine canyons are often conduits for sediment transport, channeling organic matter from the continental shelf to the deep ocean, and providing heterogeneous environments for communities to thrive. While they are globally distributed along continental margins, minimal information is available on the influence of canyon processes on deep-sea benthic ecology. In 2012-2013, sediment cores were collected along a bathymetric gradient (150-1600m) down the axis and on the adjacent slope of Baltimore Canyon (U.S. east coast) to quantify the numerical abundance, composition, and diversity of macrofauna and meiofauna in relation to sediment organic carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll a concentrations, and particle size. Macrofaunal abundance was highest at the shallowest stations (190m) within the canyon, but lowest mid-canyon (565m). Macrofaunal abundance again peaked at 844m corresponding to increased chlorophyll a concentrations, with high densities of bivalves in surface sediments. On the adjacent slope, macrofaunal densities declined with depth, while sediment chlorophyll a concentrations remained stable. Variable concentrations of labile organic matter within the canyon may drive distinct benthic community dynamics that differ from slope environments at similar depths.