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You're a what? Limnologist.

Article Excerpt
Growing up in northern Illinois, Carla Caceres spent a lot of time on Lake Michigan. "I was fascinated by the lake," she says. "I love the water."

Carla turned her love of water into a career in limnology. Limnologists are scientists who study the characteristics of freshwater systems such as lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and wetlands. They also study nonoceanic saltwater, such as the Great Salt Lake.

The job title limnologist applies to workers in many occupations who are trained in different scientific fields. As Carla says, "Limnology is really broad, so within limnology we often specialize." For example, limnologists might study the plants or animals that live in a body of water, the chemical properties of the water, or the physics of water movement.

A limnologist's area of specialization usually determines his or her specific occupational title. Environmental scientists, ecologists, fisheries biologists, natural resources specialists, and biogeochemists--all can be limnologists. What they share is a common focus on inland water systems. And when they work together on projects, each...

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