318 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



In this book, which was just published by this same organization 

 2 years ago, they go into great detail about the fact that knowledge 

 of radiation effects on marine organisms is inadequate for any firm 

 conclusions. 



If they had any experiments in order to reach firm conclusions they 

 do not give indication of it in these later publications. 



They point out that sites which provide the least hazard may in- 

 volve the greatest disposal cost. I grant that may be true, that these 

 sites isolate the materials so no part of their entry back to the land 

 or any place which might come in contact with man is limited. 



That may be true, but I think in this instance cost should not be 

 considered when we are talking about the safety of our people and 

 the use of our beaches not only for recreation, but the waters are also 

 important to the harvesting of our marine life which is a strong seg- 

 ment of our economy, as well as a source of food for our people. 



Mr. Miller. Might I point out it is a source of food which has a 

 great potential as the population of this country increases and the 

 papulation of the world increases, the importance of which will in- 

 crease in proportion to that population. 



Mr. Casey. I agree with the chairman very heartily on that. 



On page 21 of this report they state : 



Our knowledge of most of the processes in the ocean are altogether too frag- 

 mentary to permit precise predictions of the results of the introduction of a 

 given quantity of radioactive materials at any particular place. 



In oi-(ler to obtain the necessary knowledfie, an adecpiate long-ran.i;e program 

 of research in physics, chemistry and geology of the sea, and on the biology and 

 ecology of its contained organisms is required. Such research must be directed 

 toward the understanding of general principles, not simply to the ad hoc solu- 

 tion of a particular local problem for immediate applieatioii. 



The latter sort of study is desirable in order to provide engineering solu- 

 tions to particular waste disposal problems as they arise. Such engineering 

 solutions must necessarily be of limited application, and more they must always 

 he conservative at least until suflicient broad understanding is obtained. 



Then, Mr. Chairman, they follow that with a list of the major un- 

 solved problems. I will just give you the headings of those without 

 reading them. 



They list them — one, dispersion in the upper mixed layer. 



Two, circulation in the intermediate and deep layers. 



Three, exchange between the surface layer and deeper layers. 



Four, sedimentation process. 



Five, effects of the biosphere on the distribution and circulation of 

 elements. 



Six, uptake and retention of organisms used as food for man. 



Seven, effects of atomic radiation on populations of marine 

 organisms. 



As far as I know, these major problems are still unsolved because 

 this is a publication by the same group which put out this recent 

 publication. 



This same year, 1959, this National Academy of Sciences, the Na- 

 tional Research Council, put out a booklet "Artificial Radioactivity 

 in the Marine Enviromnent." 



They reiterate some of the veiy same things they did in publica- 

 tion 551, and that is mostly lack of knowledge, and the fact (hat de- 

 tailed studies are needed. 



