What type of biologist studies the effects of carbon dioxide on ocean environments?

The study of the effects of carbon dioxide on ocean environments falls under the realm of marine biology. Marine biologists specifically focus on the organisms and ecosystems found in marine environments, including how various factors, such as increased carbon dioxide levels, impact marine life and habitats. This includes investigating changes in ocean chemistry, such as acidification caused by higher carbon dioxide levels, and understanding how these changes affect marine organisms, from phytoplankton to marine mammals.

While ecologists also study interactions within ecosystems, their focus may not be limited to marine environments alone, and they typically work within a broader ecological context. Environmental scientists might study carbon dioxide effects as part of broader environmental issues but may not delve as deeply into specific oceanic impacts as marine biologists. Botanists are primarily concerned with plant life, which may include aspects of marine plant species, yet they do not specialize in studying the dynamic processes of oceanic environments as directly as marine biologists do.