Aquatic Biologist Job Profile
An aquatic biologist works specifically with living organisms that are found in bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, marshes, oceans and other aquatic regions. The aquatic biologist studies the environmental impact of industry and human expansion on the living organisms in the water as well as provides recommendations for laws, policies and guidelines for future development and expansions. Aquatic biologists are also very important in reclamation efforts for wetlands as well as assisting in natural disasters that involve water areas.
Aquatic biologists may work either in the private sector as consultants or researchers or they may work within government agencies. Aquatic biologists may also work for environmental protection agencies that are either privately funded or working though grants from the government. Aquatic biologists may be required to present their research in public forums or may be required to publish their results in specialized scientific journals. There are also aquatic biologists that work as managers or administrators within private and public sector industries and agencies.
There are several different types of aquatic biologists. Limnologists study fresh water plants and animals whereas marine biologists specialize in salt-water organisms. Aqua culturists research and study the production of water based organisms for human use. Most aquatic biologists will have either a Masters or PhD level education.
Common work activites include:
- Researching, designing, developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting the results and findings of the research project from start to finish.
- Monitoring, recording and charting the changing environmental factors that may influence aquatic organisms in either a positive or negative way.
- Communicating either in written form or orally to the various agencies regarding findings in research, ongoing environmental studies or monitoring, or observations made within the aquatic biologists field of expertise or study.
- Assisting in developing regulations, guidelines and policies regarding environmental protection and the appropriate use of waterways and wetlands to protect and preserve aquatic animal and plant life.
- Working within zoos, aquariums or other agencies to provide education and information to the public regarding their areas of expertise.
- Working outdoors and in a wide variety of locations. While some of the work will be indoors the great majority of most research aquatic biologist's time will be spend in the environments that they are studying.
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