112 



In addition to this cesium work, the distribution of other fallout 

 and natural radioisotopes is being studied to describe oceanic mixing 

 and circulation processes in the Atlantic basin as well as in the Pacific. 



In some work radioisotopes are purposefully introduced under con- 

 trolled conditions and in limited amounts to study ecological relation- 

 ships among plants, animals, water, and sediments. As it turns out 

 this is one of the best ways to measure energy flow through the trophic 

 levels and the cycling rate of nutrients into and out of the biota. 



Radioisotopes are being put to work in instruments for scientific 

 purposes. Many of these instrument developments are being made in 

 cooperation with other Government agencies to assist them in their 

 primary missions. 



We have several projects in cooperation with the Naval Oceano- 

 graphic Office. One involves the DWICA — a deep water isotopic cur- 

 rent analyzer. This device, developed by the AEC, measures water cur- 

 rent speeds as low as 0.002 knots and as high as 10 knots in water 

 depths to 6,000 feet, a significant extension of range over mechanical 

 current meters. 



The principle of operation is to pulse out a small amount of short- 

 lived radioisotope such as iodine-131 and measure it a fixed distance 

 away with a radiation detector. 



NAVOCEANO is assisting in field tests and further development 

 of the device. 



NAVOCEANO is also conducting field tests of an in situ sediment 

 density probe. This device measures density of the ocean floor by 

 measuring back-scattered radiation from a sealed gamma emitting 

 source. 



Once perfected, this unit will greatly speed up the search for ocean 

 sites suitable for construction of offshore oil drilling platforms, bridge 

 piers and emplacement areas for facilities such as the Sea Labs. 



AEC has recently developed a new technique for tagging sands 

 with a short-lived rare gas radioisotope and an instrument to measure 

 its radioactivity, in place in the environment. 



This system is being employed in a truly cooperative venture in- 

 volving five Federal agencies — Department of the Army, Department 

 of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, NASA, and AEC — and 

 the State of California. The project deals with measuring littoral 

 drift along the coast of California, especially in the vicinity of the 

 aerospace launch facilities. 



We think we have made a sijjnificant progress in our oceanographic 

 nuclear power program. In the course of recent years, the military 

 scientific, and commercial activities and interests of the United States 

 have fostered the establishment of manned and unmanned remote 

 bases and scientific sites in the polar regions of the world, in the 

 tropics of Asia and Africa, on the surface of the oceans and very re- 

 cently in the depths of the oceans. And I might add, in outer space as 

 well, all of which require power or energy to operate. 



Forecasts of future oceanographic power requirements indicate a 

 need for wide ranges in such parameters as power levels, lifetimes, 

 degree of maintenance, and attendance. 



Although the full range of applications has not been defined, it is 

 recognized that a varietv of specific svstems will be required. 



The AEC has maintained close liaison with the agencies, institutions, 

 and organizations involved in terrestial and oceanographic activities 



