Oceanography
The study of the
oceans and the marine environment
Oceanographers are scientists who apply
physics, chemistry, biology and geology to the study of the world ocean
– its currents, tides and circulation; the creatures which live in the
oceans; the rocks that lie underneath the ocean; and the places where
the ocean meets the atmosphere and the coast.
Understanding these things helps
governments to look after the oceans properly – for example by
controlling pollution, ensuring that fishing boats don't catch all of
the young fish before they have a chance to grow, and making sure that
the beaches you visit on your holidays are clean and safe to use. A very
important job for oceanographers is climate research. The ocean has a
great effect on the world's climate because the sea stores so much heat
- oceanographers can help to predict future changes in the temperature
of the planet, and also to give warning of sea level changes, which
could devastate low lying countries and coral reefs.
The main types of oceanographers are
physical oceanographers, who look at temperature, density, saltiness,
tides, currents and waves; chemical oceanographers, who investigate the
chemical properties of sea water, the chemistry of living systems,
behaviour of pollutants and the age of the sea water; marine biologists
who study marine animals and plants; geological oceanographers who
examine the rocks, minerals and processes that are at the bottom of the
sea; and computer modellers who use the data collected by their
colleagues to produce graphical simulations of the way the oceans flow
and change around the world.
As well as collecting data at sea
from ships, oceanographers use satellites, buoys, instrumented floats
and robotic vehicles to gather information.
Who can become an oceanographer?
First of all you must study hard at school and get the best possible
grades in mathematics and the sciences. If your school is able to offer
physics, chemistry and biology as separate subjects then try and do them
all. You will need to be able to communicate clearly with people, so you
need to do well in English too.
Oceanographers are employed by
universities, government research laboratories, the armed services,
industry, charities and pressure groups. Many of the jobs are for five
year contracts or less, so you are likely to move around a great deal in
your career - in particular you will almost certainly consider working
abroad for some or all of the time.
What ever type of oceanographer you
decide to be, you will need to be at ease working with numbers and
computers. You will need to be confident, able to learn new skills, and
be capable of presenting your work to fellow scientists, members of the
public, visitors and research customers, so if your school offers
opportunities for public speaking and debates or even drama, by all
means get involved. You will probably work as a member of a team in your
early career, so you will find that playing team games will teach you
how to work well with others and help keep you fit and alert.
March 2002
For more information contact: |
