Concentrations of DDT, DDE, and their derivatives were found in 

 most specimens. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were 

 found in all specimens collected. 



GULF OF MEXICO AND CARIBBEAN SEA 



The group obtaining baseline data in the Gulf-Caribbean areas main- 

 tains coordination with the other two ongoing environmental quality 

 studies in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Coordination involves not 

 only external exchange of sample material and standards with each par- 

 allel investigator, but also, the exchange of recommendations on pro- 

 cedures for sample collection, handling, preservation and processing. 

 The groups that make up the Gulf-Caribbean study also practice internal 

 liaison. This internal and external exchange of samples, standards and 

 methodology will make the regional data more meaningful in determining 

 pollution levels in the world oceans. 



Unlike the open oceans of the Atlantic and Pacific, which have a 

 greater dilution potential, the enclosed basins of the Gulf-Caribbean, 

 especially the Gulf, may have experienced serious industrial and agricul- 

 tural pollution. The Gulf is also unique in that it receives runoflf from the 

 Mississippi, one of the world's largest contaminated rivers, draining ap- 

 proximately half the area of the United States. The Gulf-Caribbean proj- 

 ect therefore has a unique opportunity to evaluate: 1) the extent of pollu- 

 tion and the prediction of expected "hot spots"; 2) the sources and the 

 rates of inputs of pollutants; 3) the biochemical and geochemical inter- 

 actions of each pollutant to predict possible sites of accumulation; and 

 4) the contamination of local marine food products. 



Pollution by organic matter, including petroleum, herbicides, and 

 pesticides, is probably the most serious type in the Gulf of Mexico. Organic 

 pollution is difficult to study because of the variety and complexity of or- 

 ganic molecules. 



The deep water sampling of the Gulf and the Caribbean is being 

 carried out by RV Alaminos and RV Palumbo, as shown in Figure 4. The 

 present plan is to repeat transects across the northern shelf of the Gulf 

 of Mexico and off Puerto Rico in order to determine seasonal variations 

 of pollutant concentrations. 



PACIFIC 



The baseline data-acquisition project in the Pacific Ocean is com- 

 parable to those in the Atlantic and in the Gulf and Caribbean. The 

 collection and handling of organisms are being accomplished in ways 

 compatible with those projects, and the same standards are being used 

 for calibrating instruments. 



Cruise and Sampling Plan — Trans-Pacific Section 



Collections have been or will be made from RV Thomas Washington, 

 as shown in Figure 5. The standard suite of samples at each station 

 includes zooplankton, myctophids, flying fish, and squid. The methods in- 

 clude standard plankton tows at the surface and at mid-depths, and dip- 

 netting under night lights. 



11 



