The science devoted to ocean analysis is called oceanography. Its experts investigate the various phenomena that occur under water and work with the various organisms that inhabit the sea, studying the waters, the bottom of the oceans and the seas in terms of chemical, biological and physical aspects, as well as their fauna and their flora. The concept of oceanography involves part of the group known as geosciences, which includes those natural sciences focused on various studies of the Earth.
What is Oceanography?
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The definition of oceanography is nothing more than the science that studies all the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in rivers, lakes, seas, oceans and any space of the aquatic world on earth. In the same way, it is a multidisciplinary science that is dedicated to the study of the oceans, the phenomena that occur in them, as well as their interaction with the continents and the atmosphere.
Indeed, the definition of oceanography involves many aspects, such as ocean currents, waves, tides and other geophysical movements of fluids, marine organisms, dynamic ecosystems, plate tectonics and the geology of the seabed, as well as exchange flows. of various chemicals in the ocean. In this way, the systems that limit it are combined with multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology and biology, to converge in the global knowledge of the world ocean and understand the processes that take place in it.
The sea is much more than salt water: it involves the living beings that inhabit it, the elements it bathes, the atmosphere with which it exchanges energy, its chemistry. There is the concept of oceanography as the science that links the knowledge of different scientific areas to develop knowledge about the sea in all its dimensions.
History of Oceanography
Cousteau's legacy for ocea nografía. Yves Cousteau (1910–1997) was one of the world's most famous and world famous oceanographers, a researcher who became very popular as a pioneer in underwater photography and filming. This oceanographer knew how to become a world-renowned documentary maker and a fervent activist for the defense of marine nature. It also allowed humanity to increase its knowledge of what oceanography means and everything that happens under water.
Said researcher was an explorer and, due to his great passion for the marine world, he decided to study oceanography and worked to find a way to descend into the ocean and stay underwater for a long time. This is how he managed to manufacture the oxygen regulator that is still used in scuba diving.
However, Costeau not only liked to see, but also to immortalize, so much so that he was one of the first to shoot underwater films. His famous underwater stripes, taken during his explorations on the ship he had named Calypso, are extremely popular and have been televised in many countries around the world. Thanks to them, he was recognized around the world for his passion and dedication to studying oceanography and exploring the marine universe.
Consequently, he was also a great activist for preserving the purity of the oceans. He defended the marine environment by giving talks and trying to make the world aware of environmental problems. He is possibly one of the first activists to be aware that the role of each individual is fundamental in life, not because of what has been done but because of what has been done and will continue to be done, without any concern for the future of nature..
As a result of a large amount of waste that was thrown into the sea in 1960, the researcher campaigned to prevent it, obtaining great support from the people. And that was just the beginning of a long and intense fight for environmental rights. Later, together with his children, he created the Cousteau Society, which is responsible for working to protect life in the ocean.
In such a way, thanks to all the work of Costeau to explore the marine world, and learn about what oceanography means, many new knowledge was adopted, although nowadays everything that is hidden under it is not known one hundred percent. the waters. Many films and strips have been made in tribute to the work of this passionate oceanographer and his own films continue to be admired and enjoyed around the planet by adults and children.
Branches of Oceanography
It should be noted that four are distinguished in the different divisions in what is oceanographic, these are; biological oceanography, physical oceanography, geological oceanography, and chemical oceanography, each of which has a number of specialized subdivisions in a specific marine environment.
Physical oceanography
It studies the physical processes that occur in the sea, such as mixing (molecular and turbulent diffusion of the properties of sea water), currents, tides and waves.
Chemical oceanography
It is the study of marine chemistry, the behavior of chemical elements within the oceans. The ocean is the only one that contains, in greater or lesser quantity, almost all the elements of the periodic table.
Biological Oceanography
It is the study of aquatic ecosystems, covering various marine organisms and their relationship with the environment.
Geological oceanography
It is the art that studies oceanography with respect to the bottoms and the margin of the oceans, their nature, the characteristics of the relief, the physical and chemical composition of the materials, the interaction of rocks and sediments with the air and sea water., as well as the action of various forms of wave energy on the underwater crust of the Earth.
How to study Oceanography?
Oceanographers specialized in studying marine biology in all its diversity of marine life, from plankton to the largest fish and marine mammals. They study the way in which marine organisms develop and interact with each other and with their environment. In addition to this, they carry out long-term studies on animal behavior, or on oceanographic processes and their effects on habitats and species.
The oceanographers conducted most of his research in laboratories and also work offshore. They collect data provided by research vessels, by buoys and floats equipped with robotic instruments and mechanisms. They can also make use of satellite images, acoustic technology and seismic records. Naturally, computer models are important to oceanography as they allow oceanographers to create simulations of ocean systems.
In addition to laboratory work, oceanographers also work offshore doing field work, aboard research vessels and offshore platforms. They could go out in a boat to measure the temperature or salinity (salt content) of an ocean, so they can spend six to seven weeks at sea.
First of all, oceanographers use sophisticated technologies to analyze samples. They perform mathematical and physical calculations and use computer systems to model and predict factors such as ocean temperature, fish migration patterns, and the movement of oil slides.
Indeed, many oceanographers specialize in one of these areas. However, many use skills and knowledge from more than one area in their work. Most of the laboratories are made up of oceanographers of different specialties.
The socioeconomic potential of the oceans (from tidal and wave energy generation, through fishing and maritime navigation, to the use of plankton as a food resource), makes the oceanographer a professional who works with specialists in a wide variety of disciplines to solve specific problems.
It should be noted that they study conditions such as temperature, marine density, tides, currents and waves. They can also apply their knowledge in the oil and gas exploration industry. For example, they study wave heights and tides, and use their results to help decide the right place to build offshore oil rigs.
They also apply their knowledge of wave energy to help minimize coastal erosion and investigate waves and tides as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels.
It is of utmost importance in research, the study of climate change, since the ocean has a great impact on the global climate, this due to the fact that the sea stores heat. Oceanography helps oceanographers work alongside meteorologists to give advice on global warming, sea level rise, and climate change. It also helps to understand how ocean currents move seawater, following the movement of chemicals.
Some marine biologists apply their knowledge to solve problems especially related to the conservation and protection of endangered species.
Meanwhile, geological oceanographers study the rocks, minerals, and geological processes that occur at the bottom of the sea. His studies help to understand the origins and evolution of the Earth, including the climates of the past. They are dedicated to locating supplies of oil, gas and minerals, and can advise on the suitability of a particular area for the installation of cables, pipes or tunnels, or for burial of rubble offshore.
It should be noted that the Bachelor of Oceanographic Sciences is a new and unique career in different parts of the world. It runs through knowledge of the oceans through subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and other specific subjects such as dynamics, general circulation, tides. Its orientation is physical oceanography.
