what do marine biologists study

Marine biologists study marine organisms, their behaviors, and interactions with the environment. They study biological oceanography and the associated fields of chemical, physical, and geological oceanography to understand marine organisms. Marine biology is a very broad area, so most researchers select a particular area of interest and specialize in it. Specializations can be based on a particular species, group, behavior, technique, or ecosystem. Marine biologists use a vast array of skills to complete their work, including scuba diving, boating, and snorkeling skills. They can work in controlled spaces such as fisheries or aquariums to work directly with marine life, or they can collect data on nearby species or chemical conditions of the water. Marine biologists must be able to conduct successful research, work as part of a team, and communicate with all team members to have a coordinated effort in their work. They must also enjoy studying sea life and spending extended periods of time observing. Marine biology includes a wide variety of disciplines such as astronomy, biological oceanography, cellular biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, meteorology, molecular biology, physical oceanography, and zoology.