OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 333 



topes. Furthermore, organisms living in the sea pick up radioisotopes 

 and add to the dispersion. 



Mr. Miller. We are talking about the currents carrying this out. 

 I was surprised to learn when we got into this matter of oceanography 

 that there are countercurrents in the sea that we knew nothing about 

 and under the Gulf Stream there is a current moving in the opposite 

 direction, not quite as fast. This means that the distribution will 

 eventually be universal throughout the sea except in those very deep 

 holes where water has become concentrated and moves very little; is 

 that right '^ 



Dr. Seymouk. Yes ; that is the proper interpretation, that eventu- 

 ally the radioisotopes will be generally distributed throughout the sea 

 except, as you mention, in areas of the sea where there is no move- 

 ment of water. These places are very few. I think another thing 

 that this points out is that we have a lot to learn about the ocean and 

 oceanogi'aphy and the movement of currents. You mentioned the 

 countercurrent in the Atlantic. Within the last 2 years a counter- 

 current of gigantic proportions has also been discovered in the Pacific 

 which is now known as the Cromwell Current. Again I would like to 

 emphasize the fact that this points out that we know very little about 

 our oceans. 



Mr. Miller. I think that is our problem, to stimulate and encourage 

 you men of science more than we ha\e in the past in this field so that 

 you will be able to have the tools with which to work and safeguard 

 us. I want to congratulate you on what you have done luider very 

 adverse circumstances in the past. I mean the people engaged in the 

 field of oceanography. I have come to have the greatest respect for 

 them and I know my colleagues have. 



Dr. Seymour. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Determination of age of ocean waters by the use of radiocarbon and 

 other radiochemical decay increases our understanding of ocean cur- 

 rents and assists in prediction of the diffusion rates in the case of a 

 nuclear accident or detonation of a nuclear device. Radiocarbon 

 also provides a useful tool for measuring rates of production of 

 organic matter in the sea. 



Studies of the basic processes of oceanic metabolism have been 

 extremely difficult and it is anticipated that great progress can be 

 made by the use of radioactive tracers. This may be illustrated by 

 listing some of the biological benefits wdiich may accrue from circula- 

 tion of the ocean waters. Such benefits include (1) oxygenation of 

 subsurface water, (2) dispersal of excreta, (3) distribution of nu- 

 trients, and (4) dispersal of spores, eggs, larvae, and many adults. 

 Controlled experiments oai a sizable scale may be developed when the 

 equipment necessary for monitoring extremely low level counting is 

 adequately designed for oceanic use. Small experiments have been 

 very encouraging. 



Studies in the open ocean involve the use of larger research ves- 

 sels. Rather than purchase its own ships the Commission considers 

 that it should pay an operating agency — that is, Navy, Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, or a private organ- 

 ization — for ship time to gather pertinent data. 



The fiscal year 19'59 level of Commission expenditures toward re- 

 search of this nature is about $300,000. It is planned that such ex- 

 penditures will increase. 



