330 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



differences in rates of dispersal. Questions of exchange of chemicals 

 between thermal layers and between water and sediments may be 

 solved using radioisotopes. 



In addition to the monitoring of fallout, the AEC program is aimed 

 at establishing operating criteria for both radioactive waste disposal 

 (packaged low level wastes) and nuclear ship operations, and this is 

 being done in cooperation with several other governmental and private 

 agencies. 



The investigation of waste disposal sites has been developed under 

 close guidance of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on 

 Oceanography. A subcommittee has just released its first report, 

 "Radioactive Waste Disposal Into Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Waters," 

 and a report is being prepared for the Pacific coast. In addition to 

 these formal reports, the advice of the committee has been sought at 

 several meetings to develop a sound program for selecting and moni- 

 toring waste disposal sites. These meetings have been held with the 

 cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the U.S. Public Health 

 Service, and other interested organizations. 



A study of New York Harbor to predetermine the fate and effect of 

 any released radioactivity is now underway. It is jointly financed 

 by the AEC (approximately $180,000, fiscal year 1959) and the Mari- 

 time Administration (approximately $200,000, fiscal year 1959). As 

 an extension to the New York Harbor study, models of harbors are 

 utilized for similar dispersion studies by the Corps of Engineers at 

 Vicksburg, Miss. This latter work is being done in cooperation with 

 Maritime Administration as a part of the nuclear ship project. AEC 

 plans to expand the harbor studies in the next year or two including 

 studies using tracers in the actual harbors. 



Similar studies may be undertaken by the Navy Bureau of Ships 

 in connection with the nuclear ship progi'am. During fiscal year 

 1959 and AEC-sponsored studies ($25,000) of two possible sea disposal 

 sites; in fiscal year 1960 additional similar studies costing $100,000 

 are planned. Work will be carried out by the CGS and the USPHS. 

 Right now it is difficult to say with any precision just how much will 

 be spent on coastal and estuarine studies in the next 2 years. It is 

 anticipated that AEC will support approximately $200,000 in fiscal 

 year 1960 and the Maritime Administration approximately $115,000 

 in connection with the operation of the NS /Savannah. Undoubtedly 

 the total program will be larger as other agencies undertake studies. 

 In addition, the fallout monitoring program includes an expenditure 

 of about $200,000. 



A fourth objective of Commission research aims to })rovide infonna- 

 tion concerning the natural radioactivity and normal processes of 

 oceanic distribution of radionuclides. The uptake of radiochemicals 

 is dependent upon the concentration of tracer chemicals and normal 

 chemicals in the environment. Radium, uranium and thorium are 

 normally found in ocean sedimets. Carbon 14 is a natuial component 

 of ocean waters. Potassium 40 is also a natural ('omj)()ncnt of ocean 

 waters. The long half-lives of these radioactive chemicals permits 

 a look' backwai'd to ])ast conditions and thus jM-ovides data of value 

 in predicting future distribution of elements in the sea. It has been 

 found that certain natural compounds which are formed in (he deep 

 sea will chelate thorium and other radiochemicals. 



