278 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1959 
water and much of the heat energy, were critically examined to deter- 
mine their temperature characteristics and the circulation of their 
waters. For the first time, for instance, we have a full year of 
observations of temperature and salinity to 100 meters and of tides 
and sea level all the way across the Pacific from South America to 
Australia. 
Among many special problems were such questions as the ocean- 
water absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as well as 
the concentration of that gas with height. It has been suggested 
lately that the worldwide carbon-dioxide concentration is increasing, 
by the burning of chemical fuels in man’s engines, at such a rate 
that noticeable climatic changes, if not already upon us, are soon 
to be detected. This follows from the so-called “greenhouse effect.” 
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide do not interfere with 
heat intake but inhibit infrared reradiation, thus conserving heat 
energy and producing a general warming up. Little America now 
has a mean temperature 5° F. warmer than when first occupied in 
1912, while that of Spitsbergen has risen 11° F. in the same time. 
Climatic studies showing mean temperature increases, and other 
evidences such as glacier recession and the northern migration of 
warm-climate fauna, bear out this supposition. 
Ozone, the 3-atom form of oxygen, is present in substantial con- 
centrations, known to have some relationship with that of carbon 
dioxide. Ozone traps the extreme ultraviolet radiation which other- 
wise would interfere with the organic life of the earth. Ozone 
transport is not fully understood, but it is known to be related to 
the general circulation and to be useful, therefore, as a tracer element. 
With the impact of increased observations, better theories and high- 
speed computers, meteorologists are developing more certain weather- 
prediction capabilities. It has been said that better and long-range 
weather forecasts would be worth $100 million to the petroleum in- 
dustry alone. The value to transportation, business, and agriculture 
cannot be imagined. 
A vital factor in forecasting is the general synoptic view of water 
content, seen in part, at least, as cloud cover, and an important develop- 
ment in modern meteorology is the weather robot, a cloud-scanning 
earth satellite. Such a device provides a comprehensive picture show- 
ing the extent and distribution of cloud cover at one time over the 
whole earth. Post-IGY satellites have achieved brilliant success 
in this undertaking. Similiar techniques will show the wind patterns, 
weather fronts, rain pockets, airborne gases, and temperatures. They 
will measure the heat soaked up by the earth from the sun and how 
much is discarded in turn. This information is of great value in 
supplementing the reports from thousands of ground stations, which 
