biologia marina

The field of marine biology -- the study of marine organisms, their behaviors, and their interactions with the environment -- is considered one of the most all-encompassing fields of oceanography. To understand marine organisms and their behaviors completely, marine biologists must have a basic understanding of other aspects or "disciplines" of oceanography, such as chemical oceanography,physical oceanography, and geological oceanography. Therefore, marine biologists and biological oceanographers study these other fields throughout their careers, enabling them to take a "big picture" approach to doing research.

Because there are so many topics one could study within the field of marine biology, many researchers select a particular interest and specialize in it. Specializations can bebased on a particular species, organism, behavior, technique, or ecosystem. For example, marine biologists may choose to study a single species of clams, or all clams that are native to a climate or region.

One area of specialization, the emerging field of marine biotechnology, offers great opportunity for marine biologists. Marine biotechnology research presents a wide range of possibilitiesand applications. One focus area is the biomedical field, where scientists develop and test drugs, many of which come from marine organisms. An example of an application of biotechnology research can be seen in industry or defense, where researchers have developed non-toxic coatings that prevent the build-up of fouling organisms, such as barnacles and zebra mussels. Such coatings are useful forships and intake pipes used in power plants.

Molecular biology is a related area of specialization in this field. Researchers apply molecular approaches and techniques to many environments, from coastal ponds to the deep sea, and many different organisms, from microscopic bacteria, plants, and animals to marine mammals. For example, molecular biology can be used to identify the presence of aspecific organism in a water sample through the use of molecular probes. This is very useful when the organism in question is microscopic or similar to other organisms. The study of disease in organisms has also been aided by the use of molecular techniques. Researchers have developed antibodies that are specific to a particular virus, so that when the virus is present in the organism, detection anddiagnosis is easier and faster. Likewise, new molecular techniques help scientists identify whether or not an animal has been exposed to pollutants and, in some cases, can determine the source of those pollutants. The field of molecular biology is growing and will continue to see significant advances.




Kim Damon-Randall
Fisheries Biologist


Michael Lombardi
Contract Diver andUndersea Specialist


Bruce W. Altrock
Marine Biotechnologist


Jamie M. Cournane
Fisheries Ecologist


Aquaculture, the farming of finfish, shellfish, and seaweeds, is another field that has been aided by marine biotechnology and molecular techniques. Aquaculture is gaining importance in this country as consumer demand for fish and shellfish becomes greater than can be met by traditionalcommercial fishing. At the same time, technological advances have made aquaculture more economically feasible. In one example, researchers developed a "triploid" oyster, whose meat remains firm and sweet throughout the entire spawning season (May to August). By extending the harvesting and marketing season of the oyster, its economic value increased.

Marine researchers are also experimenting withways to administer drugs to diseased populations of farm-raised fish. Disease can wipe out an entire crop of farm-raised fish or shellfish due to the confined setting in which they are raised. One technique involves exposing a pen of fish to ultrasound (high frequency sound that cannot be heard by humans). This causes the outer layers of the fish tissues (skin and gills) to become more permeable,...