ABSTRACT
Changes to the global environment brought about by both natural forces and man’s activity are a subject of concern to much of the world’s population. A number of international research programs are focused on developing a better understanding of ocean processes that impact our environment. A common thread seen in all of these efforts is the need to obtain a significant increase in our ability to acquire data from the ocean. Some estimates suggest that we must increase our data gathering capability by two to three or more orders of magnitude in order to meet current needs. This limitation is reflected in the worldwide concern by research organisations over the lack of sufficient data with which to understand the dynamics of chemical, biological and physical characteristics and processes within the earth’s lakes, seas and oceans.
