N A 



\ 



Researchers are conducting integrated studies 

 of physical, chemical, and biological oceanography to 

 determine the correlation of primary productivity 

 levels and particle formation. They are doing so by 

 taking advantage of the unique properties of naturally 

 occurring and artificial radionuclides and stable 

 isotopes to provide insight into how fast materials in 

 the ocean are turning over and what are the major sinks 

 and distribution patterns. 



The program has been divided into three coastal 

 ocean margins which are physiographically and 

 dynamically different. The first is the Shelf Edge Ex- 

 change Processes (SEEP) Program in the Northeast, 



extending from New England to Cape Hatteras; the 

 second is the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) Program, ex- 

 tending from Cape Hatteras to Florida; and the third is 

 the California Basins Study (CaBS) in the deep basins 

 off the Southwest Coast. Researchers in each 

 geographic region exchange data for maximum use of 

 information from different disciplines; they share 

 facilities and shiptime for maximum cost effectiveness. 

 These studies are closely coordinated with programs 

 conducted by other agencies and are often carried out 

 with their cooperation and support. Institutions par- 

 ticipating in each of the regional programs and levels 

 of funding for each are presented in table 2. 



Coastal Ocean Margins Program 



December 1988 



