332 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



Mr. Miller. In other words, until we get some answer to that, we 

 again rather buinp up against a blank wall. 



Dr. Seymour. Yes, that is right. 



I wish to point out, though, that the problem here is a large one. 

 It is a matter of determining the effect of low levels of radiation upon 

 marine organisms. We know what the effects of high levels of radia- 

 tion upon marine organisms are. Some of the early work of the Ap- 

 plied Fisheries Laboratory was directed toward the study of the ef- 

 fects of X-rays upon fish, salmon and trout, upon snails, iipon plankton 

 organisms, and other aquatic organisms. The effects of high level 

 radiation are well known, but the effects of low levels, the sort of 

 levels of radiation tliat exists currently in the waters of the o^ean, are 

 not known. This is an area in which we need information, but it 

 must be recognized that this is an area that will require considerable 

 effort. It is not a problem whicli can be solved easily. 



Mr. Miller. Not one that can be solved overnight either ? It would 

 take a long time ? 



Dr. Seymour. Yes, it will. Although I said our observations in the 

 Pacific have not given us any positive evidence of any mutation effects 

 upon fish populations that now occui", this does not say they might 

 not occur in the future. This will take time. 



Mr. Miller. In connection with the work that has been done, we 

 talked about some of the detonations that are taking place out there, 

 we talk about these wastes going into the sea. This is a continuing 

 process that will be cumulative, will it not ? 



Dr. Seymour. Yes. 



Mr. Miller. Whereas, the other is something that could dissipate 

 and there was no continuous dissipation of it, so that again this poses 

 an entirely different problem. Whereas, the first may lead the yvay, 

 it is not in any sense a solution to the problem of the disposal of 

 radioactive wastes. 



Dr. Seymour. That is generally correct. Certainly, much of the 

 information we learned from studies carried on in the Pacific or in 

 Nevada also will help greatly in answering some of the questions that 

 arise in the disposal of radioactive wastes in the sea, but this is differ- 

 ent due to the fact that there is continuous disposal in one and sporadic 

 dis])osal in another. 



Mr. Miller. I am sorry to have broken in, but I thought this was 

 a good place. 



Mr. Pelly. Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Pelly. 



Mr. Pelly. Is there any indication that nature might provide a 

 counterforce and immunity to radiation in the long run? 



Dr. Seymour. There is no evidence that I am aware of. Dr. Dun- 

 ham, Dire<*tor of the Division of Biology and Medicine, is present this 

 morning and, I am sure, coidd answer this much better than I. 



Mr. Pfxly. In otlier words, you are indicating that what we are 

 hoping is that the radiation dissipates sufficiently so as not to be<'ome 

 serious, is tliat it, ratlier than something offsetting it ? 



Dr. Seymour. Yes; there are forcCvS in the sea that dissipate radio- 

 activity, both biological and pliysical. Tlie current systems ef^i^cially 

 the surface currents, those waters that are above the thennocline, the 

 top couple of hundred feet of the oce^in, turn over and dilute radioiso- 



