Most hydrologists specialize in a specific water source or a certain aspect of the water cycle, such as the evaporation of water from lakes and streams. Hydrologists have distinct personalities. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if hydrologist is one of your top career matches. These can look like anything from a line graph to a full-scale 3-dimensional model of a river or underground water system.
These high-tech systems make use of coordinates, measurements and data to generate detailed pictures of the area. Hydrologists will go pretty far to get information on the movement of water. Remote sensing satellites orbit the Earth , taking pictures of the oceans and what's happening in them. The satellites produce topographical maps of the ocean, which help hydrologists study the oceans and their movements as a whole. There's even a coral-reef remote sensing tool.
Reefs are a great ecological resource, helping to produce oxygen and keep an environmental balance for the entire planet. Knowing where these reefs are and how to study them is very important. Parametric hydrology is a more theoretical branch of hydrology. It uses computer modeling to come up with relationships between events in the hydrological cycle. It then uses these relationships to generate possible new events.
Overall, hydrologists are a large and diverse group. They are dedicated to the preservation of the Earth's water by any means necessary. Hydrologists help maintain the livelihood of mankind by helping to regulate floods, pollution and sewage. Not only that, they get to make some really fascinating models.
Hydrology is a branch of science that will always be in demand, especially as our population continues to grow and the demand for fresh water increases. To learn more about the water that's all around us, follow the links on the next page. They'll provide you with more information. Scientists have recently found remnants of water in volcanic glass collected from the moon, causing them to question how the moon came to be. An old idea was that a rogue planet, about the size of Mars, smashed into the Earth, causing large pieces of our planet to break off.
These pieces came together and formed the moon, though any light atoms, such as hydrogen, were not able to survive. Finding water in the rocks could call in to question the age and origin of the moon [source: National Geographic ]. Sign up for our Newsletter!
Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Environmental Science. Earth Science. How Hydrology Works. The hydrologic cycle keeps the Earth's fresh water supply on the move. Feeling a bit parched? Hydrologists " ". Leonard Malczynski, a hydrologist, software engineer and economist with Sandia National Laboratories, creates models using system dynamics to help water planners predict how different factors can alter use by consumers.
Hydrology in the Military. Water Supply Control and Pollution Control " ". Hydrologists continually search for ways to improve water treatment plants.
Flood Control " ". A business is surrounded by flood water from the Mississippi River in Foley, Mo. Mapping and Tools " ". This digital map shows the risk of flooding in certain areas of the United Kingdom. Norwich Union produces flood maps using digital technology, enabling it to assess the risk of individual houses near flood plains. The banks are shallow coral reefs that reflect light through the ocean, giving it a bright blue color.
They also produce flood forecasts and help develop flood management plans. Work done by hydrologists can sometimes include topics typically associated with atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists. Scientists with an education in hydrology and a concentration in water quality are environmental scientists and specialists. Some people with a hydrology background become high school teachers or postsecondary teachers.
Hydrologists held about 6, jobs in The largest employers of hydrologists were as follows:. In offices, hydrologists spend much their time using computers to analyze data and model their findings.
Hydrologists also need to write reports detailing the status of surface water and groundwater in specific regions. Many jobs require significant travel. Jobs in the private sector may require international travel. Most hydrologists work full time. However, the length of daily shifts may vary when hydrologists work in the field. Applicants for advanced research and university faculty positions typically need a Ph.
Few universities offer undergraduate degrees in hydrology; instead, most universities offer hydrology concentrations in their geosciences, engineering, or earth science programs. Students interested in becoming hydrologists need to complete coursework in math, statistics, and physical, computer, and life sciences. Hydrologists may find it helpful to have a background in economics, environmental law, and other government policy related topics.
Knowledge of these areas may help hydrologists communicate with and understand the goals of policymakers and other government workers.
Analytical skills. Hydrologists need to analyze data collected in the field and examine the results of laboratory tests. Communication skills. Hydrologists prepare detailed reports that document their research methods and findings. They may have to present their findings to people who do not have a technical background, such as government officials or the general public. Critical-thinking skills. Hydrologists develop and use models to assess the potential risks to the water supply by pollution, floods, droughts, and other threats.
They develop water management plans to handle these threats. Interpersonal skills. Most hydrologists work as part of a diverse team with engineers, technicians, and other scientists. Physical stamina. When they are in the field, hydrologists may need to hike to remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
In May , the median annual wages for hydrologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. Demand for the services of hydrologists will stem from increases in human activities such as mining, construction, and hydraulic fracturing.
Environmental concerns, especially global climate change and the possibility of sea-level rise in addition to local concerns such as flooding and drought, are likely to increase demand for hydrologists in the future. Population expansion into areas that were previously uninhabited may increase the risk of flooding, and new communities may encounter water availability issues. What is Hydrogeology and what do Hydrogeologists do?
Hydrogeologists apply this knowledge to many practical uses. They might: Design and construct water wells for drinking water supply, irrigation schemes and other purposes; Try to discover how much water is available to sustain water supplies so that these do not adversely affect the environment — for example, by depleting natural baseflows to rivers and important wetland ecosystems; Investigate the quality of the water to ensure that it is fit for its intended use; Where the groundwater is polluted, they design schemes to try and clean up this pollution; Design construction dewatering schemes and deal with groundwater problems associated with mining; Help to harness geothermal energy through groundwater-based heat pumps.
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