Chemical oceanographers study the chemistry of saltwater oceans and their sea floors, including the effects of pollution and external stimuli. They research how phenomena affect the ocean’s chemical composition, including plastic accumulation and climate change. They use statistical modeling tools and conduct field research, making them valuable for marine biology projects.
A chemical oceanographer usually studies the chemistry of a saltwater ocean and its sea floor. This often includes work on the effects of different types of pollution or external stimuli that affect the overall ocean environment. Chemical oceanographers are also often referred to as marine chemists, and their jobs involve bringing a chemical analysis approach to the broader science of marine biology.
In many cases, chemical oceanographers in modern times are tasked with researching how different phenomena affect the chemical composition of the ocean. Many of these are high profile negative cases such as oil spills. A chemical oceanographer might spend most of their time detailing the various ways in which events like oil spills affect an ocean ecosystem, again, through highly complex studies or rigorous data collection methods. This means that a chemical oceanographer must also know how to use specific statistical modeling tools and other resources for formal research.
Along with oil spills and other similar catastrophes, many chemical oceanographers study the slower effects of pollution that is not tied to a single event. A good example of this is the phenomenon of plastic accumulation in the oceans. One of the main contributions of chemical oceanographers and marine biologists to the scientific world today is the study of how large amounts of small plastic items accumulate in the oceans and what happens to them after they are washed out to sea.
Another important part of a chemical oceanographer’s job usually deals with the issue of climate change, or as some call it, global warming. Regardless of whether the oceanographer is associated with the political debate over whether climate change is man-made, as a scientist, the marine chemist will often provide detailed research on how the environment is changing and how it affects various parts of the ocean ecosystem. Much of this research can influence future public administration, and chemical oceanographers, with their formal methodologies, help ensure that study results are accurate and realistic.
While a significant part of the chemical oceanographer’s work involves desk-based research, some of these jobs can also require a lot of time spent in active field research, including sample collection. Most chemical oceanographers must be prepared to dive into samples. They also need to know how to handle samples during and after collection. All this makes these professionals valuable for a marine biology project.
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