Benthic ecology
Benthic ecology deals with animals living in or on the seabed.
Our interest extends from very large organisms inhabiting the
surface of marine sediments to microbes, and is more about what
they do than what they are.
Our scientists carry out benthos studies at our well-equipped
Lowestoft laboratory: at the workbench (laboratory microcosms), or
during the survey planning or interpretational stages. Big-ship
sampling at sea and intertidal studies are also done.
As benthic organisms play an integral part in
marine ecosystems, their activities should
feature in environmental resource management plans.
Our services cover:
- both site-based and activity investigations, with a regulatory
emphasis (for example, dredge material disposal at sea and
aggregate extraction)
- the effects of trawling on the seabed
- contributions to the UK's Clean Seas
Enviroment Monitoring Programme.
Contact us
for more information about how we can help you.