gineers, Westinghouse, NMFS, and Adelphi and 
Columbia Universities. During FY 1972, a similar 
project was initiated in the Southern California 
Borderlands, which will be described, and during 
FY 1973 it is expected that operations will com- 
mence to evaluate a proposed dump site in Puget 
Sound and related shellfish populations. 
Hudson Canyon, New York.—In June 1972, a 
series of dives using ALVIN were made to depths 
of 5,000—6,000 feet in the Hudson Canyon to study 
the bottom formations and dynamics (sedimentary 
processes). A primary purpose was to determine the 
manner in which such submarine canyons may serve 
as “pipelines” for the movement of organic and in- 
organic materials from the Continental Shelf to abys- 
sal depths. Because of their importance in many 
oceanic processes, there is also considerable interest 
in the origins of these features. Data was obtained 
by direct observation, photographs, coring, and em- 
placement of instruments. These dives were made by 
scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institu- 
tion, AOML, and Lehigh University. In addition to 
supporting activities in the New York Bight, this 
operation is part of a larger continuing program to 
investigate and perhaps ultimately model the proc- 
esses in submarine canyons. This larger effort was 
also supported by activities in the Southern California 
Borderlands. 
Southern California Borderlands.—In June 1972, 
the Lockheed submersible DEEP QUEST made four 
dives totaling 40 hours bottom time to depths of 
6,300 feet at toxic and radioactive dump sites off the 
coast of southern California. The prime purpose was 
to determine the condition of the bottom and the 
overall effects of some 25-30 years of dumping in 
this area. The dives were made by scientists from 
Plessey Industries and the Lockheed Corporation. 
In July 1972, several dives were made using the 
DEEP QUEST submersible to depths of 6,000—7,000 
feet in the south part of the San Diego Trough. The 
objectives were to study the movement of fine grain 
sediment from shallow areas into the deeper reaches 
of the submarine canyons. This phase was part of 
the overall program designed to determine the role 
of submarine canyons in the dispersal of solid wastes. 
Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 
Rice University, Lockheed Corporation, and MUS&T 
participated. 
Bahama Banks Research Program (HYDRO- 
LAB).—The Perry HYDROLAB (a 2—4-man habi- 
tat), located at 50 feet deep near Grand Bahama 
Island, is being used in a series ef investigations com- 
menced during FY 1972 and continuing through 
FY 1973. Included in a series are studies of fish be- 
havior life cycles and biological productivity, experi- 
46 
mental fish traps, zooplankton surveys, the indexing 
of coral fauna and biota, bioacoustical investigations, 
measurement of photosynthesis and basic in-situ 
studies of water chemistry and geology. Five 4—6-day 
missions were conducted from December to June, 
1972, by scientists from the Federal Government 
and several universities. In addition seven geological 
investigations were made using the Perry submersible 
PC-8 in late 1971. Operations are to obtain detailed 
baseline data on the overall ecology of a major reef 
area, since reefs are sensitive environmental indica- 
tors of man’s intrusion into the oceans. The tech- 
niques developed and the experience gained in this 
program can be used subsequently in other locations 
on the U.S. continental slopes and shelves. This is 
part of a larger program of reef ecology studies, 
which includes the FLARE project (to be described) 
and others, that will permit the comparison and con- 
trast of areas in various parts of the United States 
and nearby. In addition, HYDROLAB provides a 
relatively inexpensive facility from which scientists 
can be trained in new underwater techniques and 
from which new instrumentation can be tested. 
During FY 1973, operations will be conducted in 
Puerto Rico to obtain further ecological baseline and 
geological data. These operations will use the new, 
Puerto Rican government- and Marine Resources 
Development Foundation-sponsored PRINUL habi- 
tat. A MUS&T program-sponsored team made the 
first operational dive using the habitat from Novem- 
ber 18 to December 1, 1972. In addition to support- 
ing the overall program in reef ecology, this will also 
provide experience with a habitat of the latest design. 
Florida Aquanaut Research Expedition (FLARE). 
—This program commenced on January 27, 1972, 
with the first of nine saturation dives at four loca- 
tions (commencing at Long Reef) on the southeast 
coast of Florida. This multidiscipline project, under 
the operational management of Woods Hole Oceano- 
graphic Institution, made use of the University of 
New Hampshire’s habitat EDALHAB supported by 
the Woods Hole-operated Navy research vessel 
LULU. Although the scientific teams that took part 
in FLARE pursued many different research goals, 
their primary objectives were similar, i.e., to increase 
the understanding of basic coral reef ecology and to 
test, under the most stressful conditions, technologi- 
cal advantages to be realized from the use of a 
transportable habitat supported by a surface vessel. 
The studies included reactions of fish to novel traps 
and holding devices, effects of pollutants on reef 
metabolism, obtaining coral cores, detailed studies 
of coral algae, and comparing biological productivity 
in areas of sewage outfalls and “clean” areas. Over 
25 scientists participated as aquanauts in this pro- 
gram which concluded in late April 1972. 
