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F. Radioactivity in the Oceans* 



Our report on Artificial Radioactivity in the Marine 

 Environment was concerned both with problems of regulation 

 and monitoring of the introduction of radioactive materials 

 in the sea and the research needed to understand the re- 

 sults of this introduction so that regulations might be 

 meaningful and effective and scientists and laymen be 

 informed of the expected effects. A research effort at 

 an annual level of $6 million was proposed. 



We proposed that the monitoring of radioactivity 

 should be carried out by agencies other than the Atomic 

 Energy Commission. During the last year, the Department 

 of Healt-h, Education and Welfare and the Fish & VJildlife 

 Service have taken on increasing responsibilities for 

 monitoring studies of the estuarine environment. Much 

 more remains to be done. 



The International Atomic Energy Agency has taken 

 into consideration the need for international standards, 

 methods, background data, and regulations for the control 

 and disposal of radioactive materials in the sea, and a 

 handbook of methods, procedures, standards, and regulations 

 is being compiled. The working group on radioactivity of 

 the ocean of the Special Committee on Oceanic Research is 

 working together with the International Atomic Energy 

 Agency in establishing an international laboratory at 

 Monaco for the study of radioactivity in the oceans. 

 Some Euratom nations have active programs for studies of 

 the effects of the release of radionuclides into the ocean. 

 Research and surveys for these purposes should also be 

 considered by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 

 of UUESCO. 



The AEC research support of oceanography has increased 

 by a factor of five over the last three years. Plans are 

 under consideration to reach the proposed level of $6 million 

 in Fiscal Year 1963. The following table reviews growth in 

 support of the various objectives outlined in our report. 



*Coraments in this Section apply to our Chapters 1 and 5 

 and to the programs of the AEC, BCF and HEIJ. 



