oceanographer

An oceanographer is a scientist who studies the ocean and its processes. Oceanography encompasses physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of seas and oceans, and considers how ocean systems interact with climate, weather, and living organisms.

Subdisciplines include physical oceanography (ocean currents, tides, waves, heat and salinity transport), chemical oceanography (distribution and cycling of elements such as carbon and nutrients), biological oceanography (marine ecosystems, productivity, trophic interactions), and geological or paleoceanography (seafloor geology, sediments, historical ocean conditions).

Practitioners use a range of methods and tools: ships and submarines for sampling, autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, moored buoys and profiling instruments, CTD sensors, hydrophones, and satellite remote sensing; data are analyzed with statistical methods and numerical models to understand ocean dynamics and to predict changes.

Education typically involves a bachelor's degree in oceanography or a related field, with graduate study for research or academic positions. Interdisciplinary training is common, spanning physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and mathematics. Careers are found in universities, government agencies, national laboratories, and private sector organizations focused on environment, energy, or maritime industries.

The field traces its origins to early expeditions and the Challenger voyage of the late 19th century, which established systematic study of the oceans. Since the mid-20th century, advances in instrumentation and modeling have expanded the scope and capabilities of oceanography worldwide.