Marine Biology: a Vast and Growing Field

Researchers in today’s world always seem to be finding new reasons to study the sea. As global climate changes affect marine ecosystems and modern science identifies new uses for marine resources, the field of marine biology is growing faster than ever.

So exactly what is marine biology? By definition, marine biology is the study of life in the world's oceans and seas. With 70 percent of the world underwater, that's a lot of territory for marine biologists to cover. There are many specialized fields of study in marine biology; here we’ll explore some of the most common areas.

Research in marine biology may involve study of the ocean as a whole body, or a minute detail within the whole, such as microscopic plankton. Some marine biologists are involved in conservation, and study the way that people interact with the seas and oceans. They may look at how to exploit marine resources while maintaining marine creatures' habitats, the impact of waste disposal on marine environments, how pollutants affect the coasts and waters or how to minimize the effect of our industrial activities on coastal waters and shorelines. Water conservation is another important area for those in this profession.

Marine biology also involves learning about how marine plants and animals live, develop, interact with other organisms and life forms and exist within their environment. This might involve studying different kinds of fish and investigating coral reefs, or looking at specific marine environments, such as estuaries. Other marine biologists might look at the oceans as a system, studying how tides change, waves develop, nutrients are produced and gases are recycled.

Marine biologists are also employed as researchers in commercial fisheries. This involves raising certain species of fish in captivity by successfully reproducing their natural environment, or creating another environment in which they can thrive. These marine biologists also study the best ways to fish without annihilating entire species. Repopulation and keeping track of fishing stocks are important to their work.

Marine biologists also work to classify existing species of marine life. Algae, worms and plankton may not be as glamorous as whales and dolphins, but they are essential to the world's marine ecosystems. Marine biologists count, collect, observe and do research on these organisms. Part of marine biologists’ work in this area may also be to explore how marine organisms can be used as resources. Discovering organisms for utilization by the pharmaceutical industry is one example of a growing area of research.

Many marine biologists have the good fortune of spending their work days outdoors. One month they might be studying tropical fish, the next they could be researching Britain's North Sea. However, many marine biologists also live and work in completely land-locked countries. This is because the seas and oceans have a profound impact on all of the earth's land, whether near water or not. The work of marine biologists has the potential to help and inform people all across the globe. This is part of what makes marine biology such a fascinating and varied career.

 

 

Ellis-Christensen, Tricia (2003). What is Marine Biology? Retrieved March 17, 2008, from the WiseGeek Web site.
 
Newcastle University (n.d.). What is Marine Biology? Retrieved March 17, 2008, from the Newcastle University Web site.
 
Southampton Oceanography Centre (n.d.). Marine Biology As A Career. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from the Southampton Oceanography Centre Web site.
 
University of Plymouth (n.d.). Using My Subject: Marine Biology. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from the University of Plymouth Web site.