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Status of Subseabed Disposal Activities 



In fiscal year 1983, the Subseabed Disposal Program published a 

 Technical Status Report on the Subseabed Disposal Program and 

 participated in the annual NEA Seabed Working Group meeting. 

 At the NEA meeting, a five-year research and development plan 

 was approved by all participants as a basis for coordinating 

 completion of the international assessment of seabed concept 

 feasibility by 1990. Deep ocean sediment samples acquired from 

 the North Pacific site study areas were assessed, and technical 

 data from North Atlantic study areas were acquired. The 

 program completed the ocean circulation model and bench marked 

 the model with field data acquired. Preliminary safety 

 assessment studies of seabed disposal also were completed in 

 1983. 



Within large regional areas, three locations have been 

 identified and assessed in the North Pacific which meet 

 provisional site criteria. No further site specific R&D for 

 the North Pacific sites is scheduled at this time. Four study 

 areas are being assessed in the North Atlantic with the 

 objective of selecting in 1984 two study areas. In the future, 

 if the subseabed concept proves to be feasible, a candidate 

 site would be selected for detailed site characterization. 



