-T~ IOC/B-50 (2) 



7. Eie innediate resource potential of the deep sea is far less then 

 that of the continental nargins. Investigation of abjissal sediments should 

 continue, but the gi-eatest eventual knowledge of resource potential will 

 coiiie froa the basic science investigations proposed. Ihese relate to the 

 understanding of the origin and histoiy of continents and ocean basins, the 

 dynanic processes vithin the nantle and cinist, end the novenent of materials 

 between continents and oceans. 



8. Reorientation of thinlcing about global geologic structure began ^/ery 

 recently following the introduction of the concept of the plate-like 

 behavior of each major unit on the earth's surface. An integrated world-wide 

 study of the sea floor is recoimended in order to provide additional information 

 concerning the nature of the forces involved and to further document the 

 laechanics and movement directions implicit in this new concept. 



9. I'larginal and iiediterranean seas form a class of structures that seem 

 to be intermediate between continents and deer; ocean basins. Tae depth to 

 Moho is greater than in most ocean besins, but much less than on the continents 

 in general, and tnick accumulations of sedimants are present in the few areaa 

 studied. Geophysical and geological in'.'sstigatic : including assessment of 

 mineral resources, elucidation of tectonic patterns, and studj'' of sedimentation 

 processes are recommended. 



10. Quantitative data on materials introduced intu the oceans by weathering 

 have not been gathered systematically enough to calculate mass balance. 

 Contaminating m£iterials introduced by nan are a major contributing factor. 



It is importent to determine these rates of transfer in order to quantifi'' the 

 natural processes and to define potential efforts and alterations on the marine 

 environment. Major rivers of the world should be sampled at ajppropriate time 

 periods and be continuously monitored for flow rate and salinity. Atmospheric 

 agents such as global idnd systems, rain, and air should be monitored by 

 improved methods. Suspended and bed loads of the rivers and suspended 

 particles in the atmosphere sliould bs cnalyzed for size and mineral content. 



11. An active data bank of bath^/netr:/- arid other physical properties of the 

 sea floor should be assembled and employed. Tnis "live atlas'' should include 

 sucn data as echo soundings, seismic reflection profiles, seismic refraction 

 profiles, records of core and dredge samples, bottom pliotographs , magnetic 

 and gravity profiles, time series records, and station data, 



BIOLOGY /I'T D LI NING RESOURCES 



12. Tliere is fair agreement that the potential yield of food from the sea 

 could amount to 200-250 million metric tons per year, or about h to 5 times 

 the present harvest. Future expanded progrsrs should identify the nature 

 and location of the principal latent resources, examine the degree to which 

 kno'jni resources are under-utilized, and deterrriine in each case the probable 

 yield. Lmphasis should be placed on stud-'es of resources that are presently'' 

 known and which can be profitably used in the next few decades. Expanded 

 programs m\ast go beyond exploratory' sta,ces of fishery assessment and encourage 

 studies on the djmamics of fish populations, predi.ction of optimfum yields, 



and management of the resources. Ihez^ should be increased and related efforts 

 in basic systematics and life history biology in the ecosystems being exami.ned. 



-99- ./.. 



