378m 



STATEMENT BY STORRS WATERMAN 



principle however we suggest the addition of the words 



"of human origin" in the qualifying statement. 



"2. We suggest that dissolved oxygen be 



expressed in terms of milligrams per liter rather than 



percent saturation as proposed. 



"It is recognized that fish and aquatic 

 life need oxygen in terms of absolute quantities rather 

 than the % saturation value which are dependent upon 

 salinity, pressure and temperature. Since the percent 

 saturation is dependent upon the three variables mentioned, 

 absolute values as expressed in mg/L are easier to administer, 



"We recommend that the measurement of oxygen 

 be made from the surface to the thermocllne or halocllne. 

 In the absence of either of these delineations a maximum 

 depth of thirty (30) feet is suggested. An average of 

 multiple vertical samples should be made for determining 

 the oxygen levels of this water mass. 



"We find no bases for the levels of oxygen 

 selected for shellfish growth and propagation. For example, 

 oysters do not need these levels of oxygen since they can 

 be stored for a considerable time out of water altogether. 

 To our knowledge there have been no recorded mortalities 

 of oysters due to oxygen deficiencies. The normal habitat 

 of commercial mollusks is at the mud-water interface where 



