The ocean contains a large reservoir of carbon many times the size of the atmospheric reservoir that can substantially alter atmospheric CO₂ levels. UW School of Oceanography Carbon Cycle research studies how carbon is distributed and exchanged between the oceans, atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere. Researchers at UW Oceanography, other units within the UW College of the Environment and the Applied Physics Laboratory specialize in research relating to coastal ocean dynamics, Puget Sound, ocean observing, and ocean acidification.