Oceanography, also called marine science, involves the study of the world's oceans and coastal waters. It consists of four main disciplines: geological oceanography, physical oceanography, biological oceanography, and chemical oceanography. Most oceanographers have a master's degree or doctorate with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics. They study a diverse range of topics such as waves, tides, currents, the structure of the sea floor, marine organisms, and the chemical composition and properties of seawater.
Explore the Ocean Floor
Geophysicists and geological oceanographers explore the topography of the ocean floor and map the structures they find. They study the chemical and physical properties of the rocks, sediments, rises, ridges, and trenches found on the seabed as well as the erosion processes that occur at the bottom of the ocean.
Investigate Ocean Properties
Physical oceanographers examine ocean properties such as tides, currents, wave motions, density, and temperature. They investigate how the ocean's relationship with the atmosphere influences weather and climate as well as how the water interacts with its boundaries on the ocean floor and at the coast.
Examine the Chemical Properties of Seawater
Chemical oceanographers and marine geochemists analyze seawater components and desalination of seawater as well as study the effects of pollutants. They also study the interaction of seawater with the ocean floor and the atmosphere as well as the chemical processes occurring in the marine environment.
Study Marine Life
Oceanographers who study marine plants and animals include marine biologists, fisheries scientists, and biological oceanographers. They study how marine organisms develop, adapt to their environment and relate to one another. To do this, they observe these creatures in their natural habitats where they collect data such as population numbers and animal behavior.
Process and Analyze Data
The data collected while performing their duties at sea must be processed and analyzed in laboratories and offices. This usually involves using specialized instruments to examine any specimens that were collected and computer programs to analyze this data. The oceanographer writes reports concerning their findings.
Tags: They study, marine organisms, ocean floor, tides currents
