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Question 1. (d) 



Please provide citations of the existing 

 literature on deep-sea biota, their metabolic 

 physiology, their capacity to assimilate and 

 accumulate radioactive materials, and 

 foodchain relationships which form the basis 

 of the DOE decision to reduce or curtail 

 biological components in either the low level 

 or the high level radioactive waste disposal 

 feasibility programs. 



Answer; 



In the civilian nuclear waste program, the 

 biological investigations were only deferred 

 by one year in order to balance priorities. 

 Thus, no search of the scientific literature 

 was performed for use as a basis for the 

 decision. The acquisition of both ocean 

 circulation and mixing rates, and data on 

 deep ocean biota are considered an essential 

 part of assessing subseabed disposal concept 

 feasibility. It is our intent these data 

 will be acquired beqinning in FY 1985. 



