Tim Smyth is the Head of Science for Marine biogeochemistry and ocean observations at PML, and leads the scientific effort of the Western Channel Observatory. Tim has recently led the extension of the work of the Observatory into the international domain through two EC Interreg projects: Marinexus which involves cross channel collaboration with the Roscoff Observatory and MeDON, which is developing a cabled observatory in collaboration with IFREMER.

Determination of inherent optical properties and primary production using satellite ocean colour data, in situ optics, aerosol and meteorological measurements.