Aquatic scientists study the physical, chemical, biological and ecological aspects of inland and marine water environments.
Marine biology is a diverse science concerned with all aspects of plant and animal life in the sea. Marine biologists study the distribution, abundance and life histories of animals and plants in the sea and the way in which these are governed by environmental factors.
There are several career possibilities, namely:
Research: on various aspects of the water environment.
Administration: administrators in the public or other sectors related to the various activities concerned with water, for example water purification, water supply etc..
Teaching and Training: careers in the training of aquatic scientists.
Aquatic scientists study the following aspects of the water environment: physical aspects - temperature, available light and water movement; chemical aspects - the organic and inorganic composition of water, the importance and role of nutrients; biological aspects - the types, migration, distribution, behaviour, environmental requirements, etc.. of the different types of plants, bacteria, algae and organisms associated with water; interrelated aspects - the relationship between the organisms and environments; and pollution aspects - the occurrence, intensity, treatment and control of different types of pollution that results in the death of fish, the colour, smell and taste of pure water that is affected by the excessive growth of certain organisms.
Other areas of study include: the management and potential for multipurpose utilisation of inland and coastal waters such as the re-use of water for certain activities; and the cultivation of organisms for the manufacture of chemicals and for food, for example oyster-cultivation and the cultivation of shrimps and fish.
Aquatic scientists are also involved in the development of plans to ensure the ongoing health of aquatic ecosystems. Working time is divided between research in the laboratory and field research in a water environment.
Depending on academic qualifications, aquatic scientists use advanced technology and various methods, such as biological monitoring, chemical analysis and computer models.
Aquatic scientists spend time in laboratories and in the field. The development of new methods and procedures forms an integral part of most of their projects.
The eventual aim of marine biology is to understand marine life and to ensure the production of food from the sea at a sustained level. The field of marine biology can be divided into research and technical work:
Researchers study the marine system as a whole or focus on a particular marine species.
Technical marine biologists are more involved in collecting samples, building and testing equipment and analysing data.
Marine biologists are concerned with the effects of pollution on marine life, the effect of introducing commercially important species into the waters, identifying ecologically sensitive areas, and assisting in establishing the ecological effects of projects like the construction of harbours and piers.