VI-173 



ANALYTICAL METHODS 



Measurement and interpretation of water quality in the marine 

 environment is a complex problem and is quite different from 

 that encountered in the freshwater environment. Background values 

 of organic and inorganic constituents are for the most part much 

 higher than those encountered in freshwater. In addition, they 

 are constantly changing with respect to depth, location, and time. 

 Estuarine analytical methods frequently are more difficult 

 technically because of the interferences encountered in analyzing 

 specific constituents. Even after values are determined, the inter- 

 pretation of these values frequently is difficult. Some wastes that 

 remain dispersed or dissolved in freshwater are concentrated in ocean 

 waters because of precipitation or by wave foaming. Marine waters 

 ' at times have a high concentration of plankton and other forms which 

 contribute to high natural organic carbon content; measures of BOD, 

 COD, or total organic carbon as indicators of pollution are extremely 

 difficult to interpret under these conditions. Research on analytical 

 methods to resolve these and other problems should receive a high 

 priority. The emphasis of such research should not be limited 

 merely to chemical considerations but should incorporate the 

 elements of significance and interpretation. Encouragement and 

 opportunity should be provided for the development of new 



sampling and measurement methods for marine pollutants ranging 

 i 



from oil, pesticides, herbicides, and radioactive materials to 



