32 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



flow of sea water, controlled by a four-component tide machine. Fresh 

 water is discharged from the rivers, and forms an upper zone similar 

 to that in nature. The model is studied by observing the salinity dis- 

 tribution, just as is done at sea, and by coloring the several water sources 

 and making colored pictures of the model in action. 



The model approach is cheaper and more satisfactory for the study 

 of limited seaways than the conventional series of oceanographic obser- 

 vations. These two-fluid models are invaluable aids for defining the 

 oceanographic structure and circulation in complex coastal seaways. 

 They provide realistic data for sewage and pollution studies, and if 

 they are not completely quantitative, they provide a good qualitative pic- 

 ture so that the oceanographer will know what to look for in the sea. 



Applied oceanography is a considerable part of our research. The 

 most important application, at present, is the disposal of domestic and 

 industrial sewage and the control of pollution. 



The city of Vancouver lies on a point of land between Burrard In- 

 let and the Fraser River. The city has grown to 500,000 people, and 

 shows every evidence of growing to a million people in the next forty 

 years. The Fraser River discharge oscillates with the tides but moves 

 persistently northward around the foreshore. At the present time, the 

 sewers discharge into the sea and the river all around the city. There 

 are many excellent bathing beaches, but these are fouled by sewage, and 

 will become worse as the city grows. 



We studied the situation to find points of discharge where the 

 sewage would be carried out into Georgia Strait, rather than along the 

 beaches. Such a position was found, south of the North Arm of the river. 

 From here the water is carried northward, outside the North Arm water. 

 This solution has been accepted by the city, and the inhabitants are now 

 consolidating their sewage disposal system in this site. 



Similar sewage disposal problems have been solved at other coastal 

 cities, and particularly at industrial sites. A number of pulp mills have 

 been established in the province. Their waste discharges are toxic to fish 

 unless quickly dispersed. It is the general practice for the oceanogra- 

 phers to examine the mill plans, especially the disposal system, and 

 work with the industry to provide a safe discharge. This service is 

 appreciated because it safeguards the fishery and relieves the mill owners 

 of responsibility for pollution. 



In our area oceanography is not regarded as a science in itself; 

 rather it is a field in which the sciences are applied. Hence we have 

 the apphcation of the many phases of physics, chemistry, zoology, geo- 

 logy, and engineering in the ocean, in seaways, in rivers, and in lakes. 



