A biological oceanographer studies the organisms that live in the oceans.
A biological oceanographer is a scientist who studies the organisms that live in the oceans. The jobs of these scientists generally involve research, although the nature of the research varies considerably. The best known group of these scientists, marine biologists, study the various species that live in the ocean. Other types of biological oceanographers may study the relationship between different populations of animals and plants, how these life forms are affected by the environment, and how they adapt to natural and man-made changes.
A biological oceanographer can study how organisms interact with their underwater environment.
The various forms of life in the oceans include viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. Depending on the type of life studied, biological oceanographers may have a background in marine biology, zoology, botany, microbiology, virology, or another field of specialization. By studying various life forms, a biological oceanographer may examine the behavior, anatomy, or health of various populations.
Scientists who study microbiology or molecular biology in the oceans may study all or part of life forms. They can examine the inner workings of cells, protein synthesis, or the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) of life forms. In many cases, these studies focus on bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, although the cells of multicellular organisms can also be studied in isolation from the organisms themselves. A biological oceanographer focusing on this aspect of oceanography will often work in a laboratory setting, although there are others who may work in the field, sampling and tracking populations of microscopic organisms.
Another focus of study for a biological oceanographer is the biodiversity of the oceans. These scientists can examine how various populations interact with each other or how they are affected by changes in their environment. A biological oceanographer can examine the effects of pollution, temperature change, and nutrient density on all life forms in an ecosystem. Studying these things gives scientists a better understanding of how ocean life is affected by human behavior and climate change.
While a biological oceanographer is often concerned with developing a greater understanding of the dynamics of life in the ocean, there are practical applications for this type of work as well. Medical treatments can be discovered or developed from forms of marine life. Other oceanographers may study the populations of marine species that humans regularly consume in order to develop sustainable fishing practices.