GEPOC is a research group at the Institue of Environmental Science and Technology.

In July 2009 it renewed its recognition as a Research Group of the Catalan Government (2009 SGR 91) until 2013.

GEPOC scientific aims are: i) conducting research to gain new insights and perspective on ocean properties and processes, and the oceans’ present and future role in the Earth system; ii) achieving greater understanding of the interaction of human society with the ocean.

Research into the role of the ocean in affecting the physical climate system is firmly established in GEPOC and focuses on modern and past changes in the ocean circulation system and global carbon cycling both from the data and modelling perspectives. The group is now also focussing on studying the impact on marine ecosystems of natural and anthropogenic processes. Marine ecosystems are subject to individual and cumulative impacts from an array of human activities, e.g., resource extraction, shoreline alteration, modified land use, increased flux of pollutants, introduction of invasive species, and natural events and processes. Much remains to be learned about the functioning and vulnerability of ecosystems, especially to discern the relative contributions of natural decadal-scale fluctuations from anthropogenic influences.