182 



• utilization of a Geographic Infonnation Syst.«m for site 

 characterization. 



• Evaluation of models for predictive assessment and 

 forecasting of effects from transport of radioactive 

 contaminants and other pollutants. 



• OemonEtx-ation, testing- and evaluation of remedial 

 technologies pertaining to the clean-up of sites 

 contaminated with radioactivity. 



• Initiation of bioeffects studies focusing on 

 environmental Impacts from radioactive contamination. 



EPA currently participates in a program conducted by the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - (NOAA) , the 

 primary objective of which is to determine the status and long- 

 term trends of toxic contaminants in bottom'^feeding fish, 

 shellfish, and sediments at coastal and estuarine locations 

 throughout the United states. The program, entitled the National 

 Status and Trends Program, has two conqponents, Benthic 

 surveillance and Mussel Watch. 



The National Status and Trends Program primarily addresses 

 synthetic chlorinated conpoxinds, polychlorinated biphenyls 

 (FCBs) , polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) , and toxic trace 

 elements. In 1986, the Office of Radiation Programs of EPA 

 iiHtlatcKl an informal vorldng agreement with MOAA to eetablish 

 monitoring stations and obtain saunples for radionuclide analysis. 

 Sauries v^e collected from the former ocean disposal sites in 

 the Atlantic and Pacific. The results for radionuclide analyses 

 of sediment and biota samples were within the eicpected fallout 

 conges from past nuclear weapons testing. However, no further 



