30 MARINE SCIENCE 



in the marine sciences. This study was made under the title "Ocea- 

 nography 1960 to 1970." Chapter 5 of this study is entitled, "Artifi- 

 cial Eadioactivity in the Marine Environment," and provides a broad 

 outline of the kinds of studies that need be done to eventually permit 

 a reasonably accurate evaluation of the consequencies of putting any 

 stated quantity of activity in any stated part of the oceans. 



Very briefly chapter 5 of the NASCO report indicates the most 

 likely sources of radioactive wastes that will be introduced into 

 various parts of the marine environment and then outlines the kinds 

 of studies that will provide the information necessary in predicting 

 the time and space distributions following disposal. 



It seems to us that radioactive materials will reach the oceans from 

 the following sources : 



1. Nuclear powerplants. Present programs suggest that these 

 will be : 



(a) Land based; 



( h ) Seaborne, both submarine and surface craft ; 



(c) Airborne, with indications that these may be nuclear re- 

 actors, and less conventional types that utilize the disintegration 

 energy from large quantities of radioactive materials. 



2. Laboratories, hospitals, and industrial plants. 



3. Large-scale oceanographic experimentation. 



4. Atomic explosions. In addition to possible weapons testing pro- 

 grams, the peaceful uses for harbor construction and improvement 

 now appears to be feasible. 



The Chairman. I notice operation of the first nuclear powerplant 

 in the Chicago area started this week. It is right on the shores of 

 the Great Lakes. I don't think they know what effect that may or 

 may not have as of now. It may be IdcIow the minimum you suggest, 

 but I don't think we know too much about continued operation in the 

 Great Lakes. 



Mr. Spilhaus. I think you are right. Senator. I think in some 

 respects we know less about the Great Lakes than we know about the 

 oceans. 



The Chairman. We just passed out a bill on pilots in the Great 

 Lakes. This is opening up a great field of activity, both this way and 

 every other way. 



Proceed. 



Mr. Carritt. Two examples can be used to illustrate the kinds of 

 problems faced hj oceanographers, as developments in the programs 

 noted above continue. Nuclear-powered vessels, both surface and 

 submarines, are now a reality. There is no reason to believe that the 

 number and size of these crafts will not steadily increase. A significant 

 portion of the coming nuclear-powered fleet will be built by maritime 

 nations other than the United States. 



At the present state of the art, these craft generate relatively small 

 quantities of radioactive wastes that are discharged directly to the 

 environment, and massive quantities of wastes that are handled in 

 shore-based chemical processing plants. 



Oceanographers have been asked to evaluate the consequence of the 

 "normal" discharge from these vessels and to recommend preferred 

 ocean areas where such discharges will least interfere with any utili- 

 zation of other marine resources. We have been asked to evaluate to 



