60 MARINE SCIENCE 



of micro-organisms, the turnover of organic matter through photo- 

 synthesis and feeding, the great migrations of various species, the 

 diverse biochemical activities, the fact that no marine invertebrate is 

 Icnown to sutler from cancer or any tumorous condition, biokmiines- 

 cence, the production of miderwater sound and its use in recognition, 

 communication, and animal migration; all these and many, many 

 others are areas of basic research interest. 



(i3) Motion of the waters: The restless sea, and how the watei-s 

 move has always excited the imagination. Indeed, much has been 

 learned about the great patterns of cii'culation and movement, es- 

 pecially of the surface waters. Now it is clear that large water 

 masses are also moving in the depths, and that enormous streams flow 

 along the bottom and at intermediate depths. Upwelling, convergence 

 and divergence, turbidity streams, the moA^ements of identifiable water 

 masses or cells within the larger body, are related phenomena whose 

 study new tecliniques ha^'e now made possible. 



(4) Relationships between ocean surface and the atmosphere: That 

 the winds driving across the sea set the surface water into motion, 

 create waves, absorb heat, take up moisture that later falls as rain, 

 and in general modulate the climate of continents is well recognized. 

 But it is not so well understood just how these things happen. Studies 

 of the heat and water budget, of carbon dioxide interaction between 

 water and air, of the transportation of salt and nutrients, of the 

 birth of storms, information that will lead, for example, to more 

 accurate long range weather predictions; these are but a few of the 

 fertile fields for research. 



( 5 ) Coastal waters, estuaries, rivers : These places, though far re- 

 moved from the main body of the open ocean, are nevertheless in 

 greater or lesser continuity with it and are areas of intense basic in- 

 terest. Here land and water meet. What is the nature of their inter- 

 action, and what are the consequences ? We know that inshore waters 

 are high in biological productivity; can we learn with greater pre- 

 cision and certainty why this is so? What causes the molding, 

 destruction, building of the shore ; how do sediments collect in near 

 shore waters; what do rivers contribute to the sea? 



Clearly these are questions for basic research, and clearty it is in the 

 best interests of the Nation that such knowledge should be sought. 



The problems are big, like the sea itself. At present, we can only 

 dimly see how they could be clarified, for ignorance is difficult to de- 

 fine. But we have the natural resources in keen, competent, and in- 

 genious human minds. Such people, given the opportunity for free, 

 undirected inquiry, will help to retain our position of intellectual 

 leadership before the world. We have only to remember always that 

 man conquers nature, not by force, but by thorough understanding. 



Senator Lausche. Dr. Ray, you are associate professor of zoology at 

 the University of Washington, is that correct ? 



Mrs. Ray. That is correct. 



Senator Lausche. How long have you been in that position ? 



Mrs. Rat. I have been at the University of Washington for 15 

 years. I started as an instructor in 1945. 



Senator Lausche. Are you associated as a member with any of the 

 groups that are making studies of this general subject, or making- 

 recommendations that studies should be made ? 



