The outer Thames Estuary Regional Environmental Characterisation (REC) studies the geology, ecology and archaeology of an extensive area (3800 km²) of the seafloor off the south-east English coastline.  The aim of this research is to help us understand how we can use the sea sustainably.

Find out what the scientists discovered by clicking on the links below.

	Archaeology What can we learn about the past?		Ecology What lives on and in the seabed?
	Geology What is our seabed made of?		Sustainability How can scientific research help us to use the sea responsibly?

You can download the full Outer Thames Estuary Regional Environmental Characterisation survey report from the MALSF website.