Biogeochemical cycling
The cycling of elements within the surface oceans and coastal
seas has important effects upon marine productivity, atmospheric
chemistry and for life on land. These areas are also thought to
play a major role in climate regulation via the uptake and release
of climatically active gases, such as carbon dioxide
(CO2). However, the roles of these chemical and
biological processes, as well as the processes performed by the
microbial community, are not well quantified or understood and
therefore, the way in which they will respond to global change is a
major question for science and society.
All of the processes that occur in the ocean will be
directly or indirectly affected by ocean acidification; the
lowering of seawater pH due to human activities, such as the
burning of fossil fuels. Uncertainties remain about how any future
changes in pH will impact upon element cycling and how this will
affect the goods and services provided by the ocean.
Increasing fundamental understanding of the ocean, and the
invisible processes taking place within, creates a more informed
and evidence based foundation for analysing, predicting and
responding to the effects of ocean acidification, climate change
and developing sustainable marine management strategies.
PML has a long and internationally recognised track record in
biogeochemical cycling research, which requires an
interdisciplinary approach to study the interface of biology,
chemistry and physics.
Key research areas