A limnologist is someone who studies inland water systems such as lakes, rivers, streams, and marshes. Limnology incorporates a range of other scientific disciplines, ranging from freshwater biology to meteorology. Many limnologists are employed by regional governments to monitor ecosystem health, and they also work for universities and companies which may have a vested interest in the environment of a particular region. A career in limnology can be quite fascinating; many colleges around the world offer limnology as a field of study or as a focus within a major.
The word comes from the Greek limne, which means “lake.” A limnologist studies both a particular aquatic system and the surrounding environment. He or she looks at how the body of water interacts with its watershed, and how changes in the environment affect the water. Limnologists also keep track of the plants and organisms found in inland waters, and they often track things like weather patterns and the impact of human activity on the areas that they study.
In order to become a limnologist, someone typically studies biology with a focus on aquatic systems. Some limnologists like to focus on freshwater exclusively, while others work with inland bodies of brackish or salt water. Limnologists learn to identify various organisms in a body of water, ranging from fish to microscopic creatures like water bears, and they may study the populations of larger animals which interact with a particular water system.
For people who enjoy working in the field, limnology can be a good career choice. Many limnologists spend a great deal of time in the field collecting samples and making observations, periodically returning to their laboratories to conduct tests and catalog the creatures that they find. The biology of even a small pond can get quite complex, furnishing months or years of study for a limnologist who wants to fully understand the interconnected relationships in nature.
In addition to enjoying the outdoors, a potential limnologist should have a passion for observation and a very keen eye. Mathematics abilities also help, since limnologists may need to make calculations in the course of their work. Depending on where you wish to work, a sense of cooperation can be helpful, since you may work with other scientists or organizations, although some limnologists do work on their own in more isolated areas. Given the plethora of inland bodies of water in the world, there will always be work for a limnologist to do.
By Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.