Although oceanography is by nature an interdisciplinary science, the greater part of marine 

 research over past decades has been traditionally segmented into programs focused on one or 

 another of its component disciplines. Recently the disciplinary lines have begun to dissolve and 

 growing attention to interdisciplinary studies has produced some dramatic progress. The 

 problems now at hand call for even greater interaction among ocean scientists. Although 

 focused disciplinary research remains essential, substantial increases in integrated efforts are 

 now imperative. 



Developing the Unified Approach: The Work to Be Done 



Some pathways to a global approach are clearly indicated. We must better define ocean 

 circulation, its associated physical processes, and the biological,geological, and chemical 

 consequences. General circulation patterns, their variabilities, dynamics, associated boundary 

 interactions, and resulting fluxes must be studied more intensely with programs designed to 

 determine global and mesoscale patterns. Data from dedicated field experiments addressing the 

 dynamics of the general circulation with its major current systems (Gulf Stream, Kuroshio) 

 will help to define the general circulation, including large-scale mean fields and basin 

 interconnections. 



The ocean and atmosphere form a tightly coupled system that largely controls the earth's 

 climate and its variability. The ocean plays two important roles: heat storage and transport of 

 heat and water. Intermediate and deep waters, by their heat content, reflect air-sea exchange 

 processes extending over periods ranging from years to centuries. A better grasp of air-sea 

 exchange on a global scale will advance our understanding of the earth's climate-control 

 systems. 



Ocean currents exert a major control over distributions and fluxes of materials in the sea. 

 Elements and compounds such as carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, water, biogenic gases, 

 and man-made aerosols all have important roles in complex global cycles. The magnitude of the 

 exchanges in these cycles is virtually unknown. Inputs from human activity mark many of 

 these cycles and may serve as useful tracers for the processes involved. Some of man's waste 

 products can themselves modify the global systems. For example, the build-up in atmospheric 

 carbon dioxide since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution has caused a worldwide rise in 

 temperature and possibly in sea level as well. 



Chemical cycles and physical processes must be understood if we are to interpret the biological 

 structure and dynamics of the world ocean, including primary and secondary production, 

 recruitment of populations, predation, and decomposition. The general relationship between 

 oceanic physical processes and marine ecosystems has long been recognized, but only in the last 

 few years has enough been learned to address specific problems. We are just beginning to 

 comprehend the effects of large-scale ocean phenomena (such as El Nino) on marine 

 ecosystems. 



At the same time, studies of processes on smaller spatial and temporal scales are essential to a 

 better understanding of large scale phenomena. Modern approaches to these studies may include 

 large experimental ecosystems (mesocosms) to examine the cycling of biologically important 

 materials and the role which key predators play in structuring pelagic communities. Other 

 important, but poorly understood, processes which operate at intermediate temporal and 

 spatial scales include the distribution, recruitment mechanisms, and trophic relationships of 

 invertebrate and fish larvae. 



