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: a) air-sea gas exchange; b) oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs); c) dimethyl sulphide (DMS); d) nitrogen cycling; e) ocean acidification; f) primary production; g) microbes and viruses.

The marine environment is intrinsically linked with society and provides humankind with many environmental, economic and social benefits, from regulating the weather and climate to providing food to over 50% of the global population. However, exploitation of the marine environment and other human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, have had a significant impact upon the ocean and its ability to provide these goods and services in a productive and consistent manner. Gaining a better understanding of these interactions and consequences enables the development of effective strategies that will help protect the marine environment for future generations. PML’s mission is to develop and apply world-leading integrated scientific understanding of interactions between the marine environment and society, in order to sustain coastal and upper ocean ecosystems and their services under conditions of global change. These values have been fundamental to the organisation for over 30 years and this area of science is essential in delivering this promise. Key research areas: a) socio-economics; b) marine ecosystems and human health; c) marine biotechnology; d) impacts of marine renewable energy; e) management support tools; f) providing ecosystem services; g) emerging contaminants; h) marine microbes; i) rapid health assessments.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

To provide excellent, effective and high impact value-adding activities that benefit the UK, and provide scientific leadership at an international level.

This programme encompasses the Western Channel Observatory and the Atlantic Meridional Transect. The overall aim behind the Western Channel Observatory (WCO) is to understand the complex coastal and open-shelf ecosystem within the western English Channel on timescales from hours to centuries. The overall aim of the Atlantic Meridional Transect is to provide an in situ observatory, which operates over extended time and spatial scales measuring a time series of core physical and biogeochemical variables, and to provide a unique platform for UK and international scientists to undertake novel marine research.