Oceanographer

People are fascinated by the ocean because of its vast, mysterious qualities. Considering the fact that the ocean makes up over 70 percent of the Earth, it is pretty amazing that scientists have only really started studying the ocean in detail in the last century. Oceanographers study all aspects of oceans, including their boundaries and contents. Therefore, all disciplines of science and engineering, including biology, chemistry, geology and physics are involved in the study of the great blue sea.

Oceanographers work in a wide variety of fields, including mining and petroleum production, fisheries and food production, ocean forecasting and climatology, transportation, remote sensing, ecology, environmental studies, recreation, academic research, and national defense. In the course of their work, oceanographers use surface ships, aircraft, satellites, underwater craft and a variety of specialized scientific equipment.

Oceanographers who study the biological aspects of the sea are focused on plant and animal life in the oceans, studying their distribution, abundance, productivity, cycles and their relationships with the chemistry of the oceans. The practical applications of biological oceanography include marine ecology food production, fisheries management, environmental impact assessment, and marine farming, such as oyster, shrimp, and salmon farming. There are myriad wonders in the sea including most of the world's undiscovered ecosystems.

Chemical oceanographers study the occurrence and movement of chemicals in the ocean and the chemical processes that operate within the ocean, the sea floor and in the marine atmosphere. They also study the effects different chemicals and contaminants have on marine life. The practical applications of chemical oceanography include pollution control studies of the role of oceans in global climate change, and assessments of the quality of fish and fish products. If industrial companies dump toxic wastes into the sea and consequently, fish get infected with diseases; the cycle continues into human digestive systems, potentially harming both the fish's health and our health. Therefore, it is important that chemical oceanographers are studying the effects of such disasters.

Geological oceanographers map the ocean floor, examining rocks, sediment, core samples and fossils, and conducting seismic surveys. The practical applications of their work include offshore oil and gas exploration, sea-bed mining, and coastal erosion or sediment accumulation. Nowadays with our oil reserves being so utilized, offshore drilling has become an important fuel source alternative.

Physical oceanographers study the temperature and density of seawater, tides, waves, currents, ice conditions and ocean turbulence. They create maps of ocean properties, including temperature, salinity, and currents, and they forecast wave heights and distribution of marine pollutants. Physical oceanographers also create computer models of ocean climate and circulation, which assist in weather forecasting and predicting climate changes and hurricanes.

Regardless of an oceanographer's specialty area, they are all concerned with discovering the wonders and possibilities under the vast expanse of water that covers the majority of our planet earth. Many also promote environmental practices and anti-dumping campaigns to keep our water clean.



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