Divers near habitat HYDROLAB deployed in 
50 ft of water off the coast of Grand Bahama 
Island. 
Pacific Walrus (Bering Sea).—In February 1972, 
the Perry PC-8 submersible, supported by the Coast 
Guard icebreaker BURTON ISLAND, was used in 
the Bering Sea as part of a study of marine mammal 
productivity. The research was carried out under the 
US. International Biological Program and funded 
by the National Science Foundation, the Office of 
Naval Research, and NOAA. Participating in the 
6-week cruise were seven scientists from Johns Hop- 
kins University, the Arctic Health Research Center, 
and the University of Alaska. The scientists under- 
took a study of the complex food chain extending 
from phytoplankton to benthos to the Pacific Walrus, 
Odobenus rosmarus. The study also included an ex- 
amination of the walrus population structure, social 
behavior, and reproductive biology. The PC—8 made 
four scientific dives in and under the ice to support 
a program of intensive benthic sampling and inspec- 
tion and for observation of walrus feeding behavior. 
Some 3,000 walrus were sighted during the cruise. 
47 
Their movements, vocalizations, feeding and resting 
schedules, and the organization and activities of 
mating groups were studied intensively. This program 
is basic to an understanding of Arctic marine bio- 
logical productivity and conserving marine mammals. 
Flower Garden Reefs, Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, 
Tex.—In June 1972, 16 dives were conducted at 
depths of 200-400 feet using General Oceano- 
graphic’s NEKTON submersible 120 miles southeast 
of Galveston, Tex. The objective of these dives was 
to obtain biological and geological baseline data by 
observation and selection of samples. The samples 
are being analyzed for pesticide and heavy metal 
content and have been found to contain significant 
amounts of mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Geo- 
logical sampling of sediments was also carried out 
to determine the impact of the Mississippi River 
fanning out on the distant reaches of the Gulf of 
Mexico. Continuation of activities which support reef 
ecology and resource location efforts during FY 1973 
is expected. 
