 |
Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry |
| Institute for Water Quality Studies |
CAREERS IN AQUATIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ABOUT CAREERS IN AQUATIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS AQUATIC SCIENCE?
The aquatic sciences include both Limnology and Oceanography. Limnology is the study of
the physics, chemistry and biology of rivers, dams, vleis, lakes and estuaries. The
limnologist is thus concerned with inland waters and their organisms. Oceanography, or
Marine Science, incorporates many different fields of study relating to the sea. These
include marine biology, physical and chemical oceanography, marine geology and coastal
engineering.
WHY IS AQUATIC SCIENCE IMPORTANT?
Rapid population growth and increasing industrialisation and urbanisation are placing
increasing demands on our country's freshwater and marine resources. This has led to a
marked deterioration in the quality of many aquatic habitats. Scientific studies that
increase our understanding of the behaviour and responses of aquatic ecosystems to
human-induced stress (eg. pollution and over-exploitation of water and natural food
resources) have thus become a vital factor in the future development of South Africa.
FUTURE PROSPECTS IN AQUATIC SCIENCE
South Africa is an arid country with very limited fresh water resources. As a result
most major rivers have been extensively dammed, altering natural water flow patterns and
creating major artificial lakes. The water stored in these dams may be used for many
purposes including irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply, flood control and
recreation. The future conservation and wise utilisation of these limited water resources,
and their protection against pollution, are thus of paramount importance for our future
health and development. With increasing recognition of these facts, greater priority is
being placed on the sound management of these resources. It is thus becoming essential
that prospective students in aquatic science be given suitable training so that they can
take up the important challenge of research into, and monitoring and management of, our
natural water resources.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION IN THE AQUATIC SCIENCES
The aquatic scientist's work might involve any of the following fields:
- physical studies - water currents and flow rates; erosion and
sedimentation; temperature and water clarity
- chemical studies - water analysis; water cleansing (sewage -disposal);
pollution monitoring; siltation levels and nutrient availability
- ecological and other biological studies - distribution patterns;
ecological requirements and inter-relationships of fauna and flora; factors affecting
productivity and food utilisation; management of exploited stocks; conservation of living
resources and how they are affected by pollutants
- management studies - water storage and supply; allocation of water
resources for use in irrigation, domestic and industrial supply, and recreation; water
cleansing (sewage disposal)
- aquaculture studies - growing plants and animals for food; ornamental
plant and fish culture for the aquarium trade
Career opportunities in each of the above fields fall broadly into four categories
according to the type of training received. Workers, however, may often find that their
jobs encompass more than one of these.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOBS IN AQUATIC SCIENCE
Technicians, for instance technical assistants for laboratory and
field work, often work in association with researchers. Training is usually obtained at a
technikon or via in-service training, although some university graduates also specialise
as technicians. Trained personnel may be responsible for routine sampling programmes such
as monitoring water quality or biological organisms in the field. They may also be
responsible for laboratory analysis of samples and possibly for computerised data
analysis.
Researchers direct or conduct their own research programmes in order
to enhance our knowledge of the functioning of freshwater and marine ecosystems, and the
effects of pollution or other environmental changes. They may visit sampling stations,
perhaps camping out for various lengths of time, collect and analyse samples, record data,
perform experiments in the field or the laboratory, and analyse and write up their
results. They would then report on their findings either to their employers or in the
scientific literature. Many researchers are also involved in educating students at
technikon and university level and some act as consultants to business and government,
e.g. conducting environmental impact assessments.
Aquaculturalists are involved in developing aquaculture farms or the
running of established farms. They might also act as consultants to businessmen wanting to
start farms.
Administrators Organisations require administrators and these are
usually drawn from experienced researchers and senior personnel. They would necessarily
have had considerable experience and training in research or resource management and would
be office-based responsible decision makers; develop policies; promote the objectives of
the governmental department or business in which they were involved; coordinate and direct
research activities and manage budgets; attend meetings and communicate with others in the
same or related fields. While not many posts are available at this level, they represent
the most responsible and well paid careers available to aquatic scientists.
Choosing a career in aquatic science or
technology
List of centres and institutes offering
specialised training in the aquatic sciences.
Compiled and published by the Southern African Society of Aquatic
Scientists
(The executive committee based at the Freshwater Research Unit, Zoology
Department, University of Cape Town, RONDEBOSCH, South Africa 7700.)
The Foundation for Research Development funded the
original paper leaflet. Problems to: Michael
Silberbauer