22 



Atomic Radiation and Oceanography and Fisheries 



know that vertical exchange is much more rapid 

 in some parts of the oceans than others, but de- 

 scribing it in quantitative terms can be done 

 only in a very sketchy manner. Quantitative 

 data on this subject are required as one basis 

 of arriving at estimates of the amount of atomic 

 wastes that can be deposited safely in specified 

 parts of the deep sea. 



4. Sedimentation processes 



Sedimentation processes constitute an im- 

 portant mechanism for removing atomic wastes 

 from the waters of the oceans. In order to evalu- 

 ate their role, however, we need to measure the 

 average times that different elements remain in 

 the sea before being deposited in the sediments, 

 the rates of sedimentation in different parts of 

 the deep sea, and the ability of the sediments to 

 capture and retain various fission products. 



3. Effects of the biosphere on the distribution 

 and circulation of elements 



As we have noted, marine organisms have 

 profound effects in modifying the distribution 

 and circulation of elements in the sea. It is 

 vitally necessary that the biological processes be 

 studied in sufficient detail to enable their effects 

 to be quantitatively evaluated. Such investiga- 

 tions need to include: The flux of various ele- 

 ments through the different trophic levels, and 

 the variations in different ecological realms such 

 as inshore coastal waters, offshore surface waters 

 and the deep sea; the effects of vertical and 

 horizontal migrations of organisms on redis- 

 tribution of elements ; the effects of the uptake, 

 modification of the physical state, and elimina- 

 tion of elements by members of the marine 

 biosphere on their subsequent distribution in 

 the sea. 



6. Uptake and retention of elements by organ- 

 isms used as food for man 



Related to the foregoing, but of separate im- 

 portance, is the study of the quantities of radio- 

 active elements deposited in different situations 

 in the sea that can be expected to be taken up 

 by organisms harvested for food, the length of 

 time such elements are retained in the food or- 

 ganisms, and, consequently, the levels of con- 

 centration. Some parts of some organisms are 

 not eaten by man, but are discarded or used for 

 other purposes. The sites of accumulation of 



different radioactive elements in the organisms 

 must therefore be determined. 



7, Ejects of atomic radiation on populations of 

 marine organisms 



In order to determine what quantities of 

 atomic wastes can be safely deposited in the sea 

 without upsetting the ecology of the sea through 

 destruction of important populations of organ- 

 isms, research is needed on the somatic and ge- 

 netic effects of atomic radiation on marine popu- 

 lations. This is especially important for organ- 

 isms of the deep sea which may come in contact 

 with very high concentrations of radioactive 

 elements, if deep sea disposal of large quantities 

 proves feasible in other respects. 



RESEARCH METHODS 



Much of this required research can be ac- 

 complished by the intensive application of 

 classical techniques of physics, chemistry, ge- 

 ology, and biology. In addition, however, the 

 availability of radioactive isotopes provides us 

 with a powerful new tool, which is especially 

 valuable for studying processes. The use of 

 radioactive elements as tracers permits the paths 

 of various elements, both in the physical en- 

 vironment and within the biosphere, to be de- 

 termined, and the fluxes of the elements through 

 various parts of the system to be measured. 



Radioactive tracers are useful both in labo- 

 ratory experiments and in field studies of vari- 

 ous kinds. The use of tracers in the laboratory 

 and in small scale field experiments is already 

 familiar. Information from the tracers intro- 

 duced into the sea by weapons tests has provided 

 valuable information. What has not yet been 

 done, and what we believe will be a fruitful 

 approach, is the employment of fairly large 

 quantities of radio isotopes to study the various 

 processes in the open ocean in a planned fash- 

 ion. In Chapters of this report by Folsom and 

 Vine and by Schaefer, suggestions are made for 

 some experiments that should be useful and are 

 currently feasible. 



Naturally occurring radioactive isotopes can 

 also provide a fruitful means of attack. Craig, 

 in Chapter 11, discusses some of these avenues 

 of research in detail. 



FACILITIES REQUIRED 



The Committee has not attempted to draw 

 up detailed estimates of men, ships, and facili- 



