187 



Center has proven so successful that a regional extension of the activity has 

 been established in Tunisia. 



During the last decade, oceanographic expeditious have collected vast quan- 

 tities of marine biological and geological specimens. From these collections, 

 scientists derive information on the classification, ecology, and population dy- 

 namics of marine organisms and the history of the ocean. Specific evaluations 

 first require the separation of these heterogeneous samples into discrete workable 

 units — a time-consuming and routine process with caused the scientist frustrat- 

 ing delays between collection and scientific analysis. A means was sought of pro- 

 moting the eflSciency of this necessary task of intermediate processing. From 

 this recognized need grew the concept of a sorting center. 



The Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center (SOSC) was established in 

 December 1962 to act as a service organization to the scientific community by 

 receiving, sorting, recording, and distributing marine biological and geological 

 specimens. Although SOSC was originally developed primarily to process the 

 collections of the International Indian Ocean Expedition, the idea of a cen- 

 tralized processing unit was so enthusiastically received that SOSC's scope was 

 broadened immediately. The Center was flooded with marine collections from 

 expeditions around the world and with requests for processed specimens from 

 scientists across the country and in foreign institutions. 



The service of SOSC begin at the time of collection. Research ships are given 

 records forms to insure that specific categories of data are provided which are 

 essential to the scientist in his evaluation of the sample. Preferred collection 

 and presei'vation techniques are demonstrated by SOSC personnel while aboard 

 ship. Shipping containers and other supplies are provided for shipboard use after 

 tests at SOSC and in the field to determine the most effective and efficient 

 methods of handling the specimens. At SOSC a file or reference number is given 

 to all preserved biological materials and sediments received either for sorting 

 or for transshipment. Once registered, material received only for transshipment 

 is tested for preservation, repacked, and forwarded to the designated recipient. 

 Specimen shipments destined for SOSC processing are unpacked ; preservative 

 is adjusted to proper pH level or replaced if necessary; specimens are packaged 

 in suitable containers ; and the lots are designated shelf space for temporary 

 storage. 



The samples are sorted to arbitrary groups depending upon the needs of 

 specialists and the technicians' capabilities. For example, an Algal Section sorts 

 to genus for marine benthic algae, dispatches phytoplankton by aliquots, and 

 sorts the remaining plants to the highest category, i.e., lichens, mosses, and fungi. 

 Plankton is sorted to about CO categories ; benthic invertebrates to 90 groups ; 

 and midwater-trawl invertebrates to 45 groups. Fishes are sorted generally to 

 species level, with the exception of the larval fishes in which an attempt is made 

 to sort to family. Only preliminary efforts have been made in sorting marine 

 sediments. Sorted specimens are counted, placed in fresh preservative in con- 

 tainers along with permanent labels detailing collection data, and then filed. 

 Sorted groups are distributed according to the commitments made by expedition 

 leaders and principal investigators and/or to the recommendations of committees 

 advisory to SOSC. These committees are composed of prominent U.S. systema- 

 tists. Usually, for convenience, a specialist from the U.S. National Museum 

 serves as committee chairman. Before shipment, all specimens are rechecked by 

 an experienced Museum Specialist for proper identifications. Specimens are care- 

 fully invoiced, with copies of all associated data being supplied for the scien- 

 tists's reference. Specinwn containers are sealed to prevent leakage ; fish speci-^ 

 mens are either placed in jars or carefully wrapped in muslin, tagged separately, 

 and encased in polyethylene tubing. After the specimens have left SOSC, records- 

 keeping duties continue. Information is kept on progress of the specialist's re- 

 seai-ch and publications and on the disposition of specimens including disposi- 

 tion of types at institutions authorized by the advisory committees. 



Since .January 1963, 34,.545 samples of marine organisms and sediments have 

 been received. From 26,717 of these samples, 1.5,2.56,6.'19 specimens plus 277,895 

 cc. of an estimated 2,000,000 shell fragments have been sorted to date. During 

 FY 1967, 6,885,1.51 specimens were sorted. Two hundred seventy-six (276) ship- 

 ments were made, including 3,675 unsorted lots and 21,0.50 sorted lots, the latter 

 containing 089,595 specimens. A total of 1,000 shipments of marine specimens 

 have been sent during the four and one-half years of SOSC existence. These 

 shipments included 7,6.50 unsorted lots and 41,823 sorted lots, the latter includ- 

 ing 5,-542,631 whole specimens and 277,895 cc. of shell fragments. 



