The biological productivity of the oceans is of central importance to a world concerned about climate change. Marine phtoplankton comprise a quarter of the world's vegetation and chlorophyll is the most frequently (but not always perfectly) measured biochemical parameter in aquatic science.

Prepared by leading scientists under the aegis of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and UNESCO, Phytoplankton Pigments in Oceanography: Guidelines to Modern Methods brings together a wealth of information in one volume. It everything an oceanographer needs to know in how to measure and identify pigments as well as select the best methods of quality control.