1. Introduction to Aquatic Science

2. What is Aquatic Science?
• Aquatic Science is the multidisciplinary study
of aquatic systems, encompassing both freshwater and marine systems.
– Some of the major fields of study within aquatic sciences include: hydrology, freshwater ecology, oceanography & marine biology.

3. What is Hydrology?
• Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability.

4. What is Oceanography? • Scientific study of the oceans
• Covers geology, chemistry, meteorology, biology, & physics
• A biological oceanographer focuses on
organisms in the deep while marine biologists
tend to study organisms close to shore

5. What is Marine Biology?
• Scientific study of organisms of the seas

6. Why study Marine Biology?
• Curiosity: Oceans hold a variety of life‐ adventurous to study
• Provides clues to Earth’s past
• Economics: Source of human wealth
– Food, medicines, raw materials, recreation
• Marine life helps to determine the nature of our
planet‐ make oxygen
• To solve problems created by marine organisms.. -For example- barnacles

7. What is Freshwater Ecology?
• Freshwater Ecology can include lakes (limnology),
streams and rivers, freshwater wetlands.
• It is a broad subject that can include topics of water quality and quantity; inland fisheries; amphibians and other vertebrates associated with fresh water habitats; aquatic invertebrates and aquatic vegetation