Abstract
We have reviewed available information on the global carbon cycle, which is vital to the atmospheric "green house effect". The ocean can store a vast amount of carbon without causing the green house effect; however, the transport systems of the ocean interior, e.g. oceanic conveyer belt, ensure that most of the carbon removed to the deep ocean is eventually returned to the ocean surface layer. The ocean may be delaying a pronounced change in weather systems. Since carbon must enter at the ocean surface from the atmosphere, the carbon budget in the Upper Ocean Layer (UOL) is crucial to understand the global carbon cycle. Particularly, the role of biological activities in UOL is significant. Despite the fact, considerable progress in the upper ocean monitoring systems, our knowledge on the dynamics of UOL is limited. We urge a concentrated research effort on the dynamics of the UOL dynamics research. Finally, we recognize that, as the dynamics of the bottom of UOL are poorly understood, it is an important subject to investigate.
