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geographic provinces. These studies and relationships derived from 

 them must serve as an interim basis for improved evaluation of the ac- 

 ceptability of new disposal facilities and sites. They must include at 

 least the following : 



(a) Quantitative floral and faunal surveys in the immediate 

 vicinity of discharge, within the measurable zones of influence and 

 at reference sites. 



(b) Sludge fields (when present) : 



(1) Measurement of the temporal and spatial dimensions 

 of sludge fields, 



(2) Chemical analyses of sample sludges from various out- 

 falls with emphasis on substances likely to have biological 

 importance, and 



(3) Measurement of the rates of biodegradation and utili- 

 zation of sludge components by marine organisms. 



(c) Determination of the dissolved inorganic and organic sub- 

 stances resulting from coastal discharges and their effects by 

 means of : 



(1) A chemical inventory of components, 



(2) Bioassays of both effluents and affected waters for tox- 

 icity and stimulation, and 



(3) A study of primary productivity and other community 

 responses in affected waters. 



(2) A detailed examination of the public health significance of 

 coastal discharges should be made, including: 



(a) Reevaluation of the adequacy of traditional fresh water 

 biological indices in marine waters and in organisms consumed 

 by man, and 



(b) Development and application of improved indices. 



(3) Research on the biological concentration of waste components 

 by marine organisms should be expanded and intensified. Special 

 attention must be given to organisms involved either directly or in- 

 directly in the food chain of man, without sacrificing adequate atten- 

 tion to the complete environment. 



(4) The input of DDT into the marine environment by the United 

 States should be eliminated. In order to avoid a repetition of the DDT 

 type of problem, we further recommend that any material that com- 

 bines the properties of mobility, chemical stability, low solubility in 

 water and high solubility in lipids be kept out of the marine environ- 

 ment unless it has been proven not to have the broad biological activity 

 that is characteristic of DDT. 



(5) The U.S. Government should provide encouragement and 

 funding for increased graduate education in the combined fields of 

 oceanography, ecology, and engineering in order to provide the man- 

 power and competence necessary for insuring rational use of the 

 nearshore ocean and estuaries. In order to make this effective, certain 

 other fields, especially taxonomy and marine chemistry, must also be 

 encouraged and funded. 



(6) The U.S. Government should take the initiative, in cooperation 

 with the States, in development on a broad regional basis of a long- 

 range plan for. the uses of the coastal waters and estuaries that would 

 be affected by wastes. The plan should project uses for at least 10 years 



