333 



are near the upper limit which can be tolerated by the biota. In either case, 

 knowledge of the vertical temperature distribution in the sea would be valuable 

 in deciding where to place the intake and the outfall. If the intake could be 

 placed in cold deeper water, it is possible that the effluent would not have a 

 greatly different temperature than the nearby surface waters. By discharging 

 the effluent at some depth rather than at the surface, it might be possible to 

 provide a great deal of mixing as the warmer, less dense water rises to the 

 surface. - 



In the colder parts of the ocean, it is comparatively easy to conceive of various 

 wars in which the heated effluent could be utilized. Throughout much of the 

 year in the Gulf of Maine, for example, the surface' waters are too cold for 

 the optimum growth rate of lobsters, clams and other marine products. It 

 is possible that lagooning the heated effluents could provide a more favorable 

 environment of the growth of these organisms. It is also possible that trans- 

 planting organisms which would not be able to survive the rigors of New England 

 winters might produce useful products in such heated lagoons. A cost benefit 

 analysis of such processes might indicate the economic feasibility of the 

 procedure if the detrimental , effects of such discliarges of the effluent to the 

 environment were taken into acciQunt and properly assessed. 



Another possible use of heated effluents would be to place them at some 

 depth in the ocean where they would mix vfith the nutrient rich deep water, rise 

 to the surface and produce an arltificial upwelling. As mentioned previously, 

 productivity of the marine ecosystem is frequently limited by nutrient deficiencies. 

 The artificial upwelling would both mix the heated effluent with colder deep 

 water and bring up nutrients from the deeper waters. In each case a careful 

 assessment of the magnitude of the possible effects would have to be made. 



Another possible use of heated effluents is to speed up the biological processes 

 In a sewage treatment plant by providing an environment of optimum tem- 

 perature. Again, the winter effects may be quite different fi'om the effects in 

 the summer so that a careful evaluation would be neded. It is also possible 

 that some indusltries which spend a great deal of fossil fuel energy in heating 

 materials could make use of this low grade heat if the total system were designed 

 as a unit rather than having each part designed separately. 



Various other possible uses of heated effluents in the marine environment could 

 be postulated. The present difficulty is that we are looking at only one aspect 

 ■of these problems and reasonable solutions cannot be achieved without looking 

 at the problem as a system in which the benefits of the use of the heated effluent 

 are carefully weighed against the possible detrimental effects of its release to 

 the environment. 



^. TasTc Forces for Environmental Crises 



The personnel of the Center should also be capaible of a quick response to an 

 environmental crisis such as an oil spill or a fish Idll. It is very important that 

 these phenomena be looked at quickly if the optimum evaluation is to be achieved. 

 It is not proposed, of course, that this activity be undertaken for distant events 

 but phenomena which occur close to home can frequently give clues as to the 

 general environmental effects of man's activities. The Smithsonian Institution 

 Center for Short-Lived Phenomena provides a good source of information. It 

 would be possible to have the Woods Hole Oceanographic Center notified by 

 phone when an event of interest occurs within reasonable distance of Woods 

 Hole. 



a. Monitoring 



It is not proposed that the Center undertake any extensive system of monitoring 

 except insofar as the activity would provide suitable baselines for evaluation 

 of future changes in the environment or the biota. Samples could be taken, for 

 example, in specific areas such as the dumping grounds off New York City during 

 the studies of circulation and mixing. If progressive changes are identified during 

 any part of the research program, it is apparent that monitoring for specific rates 

 of change could be of value in the further development of the program. 



The techniques of monitoring coastal environments have been given inadequate 

 attention. The Center should accept the responsibility for evaluating and develop- 

 ing such techniques so that monitoring programs would give useful information. 

 Such a study would consider not only what types of measurements should be made, 

 but also evaluate the importance of the frequency and spatial distribution of 



