A biologist who studies organisms that live in the ocean is known as a biological oceanographer. The majority of these scientists’ jobs entail research, though the type of research varies greatly. Marine biologists are the most well-known of these scientists, and they study the various species that live in the ocean. Other types of biological oceanographers might look into the relationships between different populations of animals and plants, how the environment affects them, and how they adapt to natural and man-made changes.
Viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals are among the various life forms found in the oceans. Biological oceanographers may have a background in marine biology, zoology, botany, microbiology, virology, or another specialty field, depending on the type of life they study. A biological oceanographer may study the behavior, anatomy, or health of various populations when studying various life forms.
Ocean scientists may study whole lifeforms or parts of them when studying microbiology or molecular biology. They may investigate the inner workings of cells, protein synthesis, or life forms’ deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA). Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa are often the focus of these studies, but multicellular organisms’ cells can also be studied in isolation from the organisms themselves. A biological oceanographer who focuses on this aspect of oceanography will most likely work in a laboratory, though others may collect samples and track populations of microscopic organisms in the field.
The biodiversity of the oceans is another area of study for a biological oceanographer. These researchers could look into how different populations interact with one another or how changes in their environment affect them. A biological oceanographer can look at how pollution, temperature change, and nutrient density affect all of the organisms in an ecosystem. Scientists can learn more about how human behavior and climate change affect life in the ocean studying these things.
Though the primary goal of a biological oceanographer is to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of life in the ocean, this field also has practical applications. Life forms from the sea can be used to discover or develop medical treatments. Other oceanographers may study the populations of marine species that humans consume on a regular basis in order to develop sustainable fishing practices.