What are careers in oceanology?

Answer 1

Physical Oceanography

Physical oceanography includes such things as the formation of waves, salinity/density gradients, temperature differences and currents. Air/sea energy interchanges and related ocean-weather phenomena such as global climate change, El Nino, hurricanes and typhoons are special topics of ocean research that require a knowledge of both marine and atmospheric sciences.

Chemical Oceanography

Chemical oceanography deals with the origins and fate of chemical constituents of ocean waters and the chemical reactions that take place in the ocean environment. The effects of contaminants, organic or inorganic and their distribution patterns, are major concerns of marine chemists. Chemical tracers, atmosphere/ocean gas exchanges are used to determine the movement and distribution of deep ocean waters and the cycling or uptake of gases such as carbon dioxide.

Geological Oceanography

Geological oceanography covers the study of the formation of ocean basins, mountain ranges, trenches, undersea volcanoes and how sediments are transported, uplifted and distributed into islands and continents. Findings arising from tectonic plate theories have led to new explanations of continental drift, movements of plates, uplift and mountain building. The discovery of hydrothermal vents has led to many new mineral and biological discoveries in the ocean. Much of the applied geological and geophysical research and surveys is directed to the location of offshore oil, gas and mineral deposits.

Biological Oceanography

Biological oceanography is the study of living things in the ocean, and the interactions of all of them with each other and also with their surrounding physical and chemical environments. . . It is concerned with entire communities and the dynamic ways in which they interrelate. One aspect of ecology that has grown into its own is that of the behavior of animals, including how and why they communicate with each other.

Answer 2

Some career options in oceanology include marine biologist, oceanographer, marine researcher, ocean engineer, and marine archaeologist. These professionals study different aspects of the ocean, such as marine life, ocean currents, marine ecosystems, and underwater Archaeology. Careers in oceanology often involve fieldwork, research, data analysis, and collaboration with other scientists.