The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the earth's surface to an average depth of almost 4000 metres. It is therefore not surprising that exchanges that occur between ocean and atmosphere exert major influences on the global cimate. In addition, there is great variety within the expanses of the ocean, including large temperature differences, and enormous biodiversity brought about by the great chemical diversity within the marine environment. This work offers a multidisciplinary and authoritative view of this topic. Included is a review of the opportunities and challenges in developing new pharmaceuticals from the sea and an examination of contamination and pollution in the marine environment, which is a cause of great concern world-wide. The international perspective of this book should engage the interest and attention of a wide readership, from chemical oceonographers to policymakers, from students in environmental science to those in oceanography programmes.