36 



and abundance and to locate species during 

 periods when scarcity results from lack of avail- 

 ability, or seasonal changes in distribution, rather 

 than from depressed numbers. 



Research will be started to provide a basis of 

 scientific information for predicting the con- 

 sequences to gamefish of the loss or reduction of 

 estuarine areas. Studies of the basic nutrition cycle 

 involving the estuaries and coastal regions will be 

 emphasized to determine the mechanisms whereby 

 the shallow water areas fertilize the bay and 

 coastal areas. 



One species of dinoflagellate can be used to 

 measure and analvze certain factors in\olved in 

 the biological productivity of sea-water. The 

 experimental culture of microorganisms will be 

 undertaken in order to impro\e techniques for 

 estuarine bioassay. 



Geological Survey 



FY 1965-1581,000 

 FY 1966 -$677,000 

 FY 1967-1679,000 



Background 



The mission of the Geological Sur\ey requires 

 investigations of marine geological, hydrological, 

 and geophysical conditions, and processes in order 

 to obtain knowledge that is needed by industry 

 and others to find, develop, exploit, and conserve 

 natural resources both on and beneath the ocean 

 floor. The mission is being accomplished through 

 basic research programs that have been underway 

 for many years within the Survey and through 

 systematic mapping and study of marine condi- 

 tions and processes. Much of United States non- 

 defense industry looks to the Geological Survey 

 to provide the same technical expertise and leader- 

 ship with respect to the seabed that it has historical- 

 ly provided on the land. 



Proposed FY 1967 Program 



Basic Studies 



The Geological Survey will continue its research 

 into aspects of marine geology and hydrology that 

 relate to the origin, composition, structure, and 



history of the continental shelves and ocean basins. 

 Areas of stress will be on the nature and distribu- 

 tion of \olcanic rocks that form the ocean floor; 

 the formation of marine sedimentary rocks and 

 mineral deposits; the effects of freshwater and 

 sediment discharge from land areas on adjacent 

 marine environments; and the relationships of 

 geologic, hydrologic, biologic, and geochemical 

 processes within rocks and sediments to the 

 properties and life forms of adjacent ocean waters. 



Deep Ocean Exploration 



Laboratory studies of ocean-floor samples and 

 of data collected aboard ships of other agencies 

 will be continued in order to gain knowledge of 

 the distribution of elements in the earth's crust 

 and of the composition of volcanic rocks, man- 

 ganese nodules and other geologic material on 

 the ocean floor. Geologic studies of oceanic islands, 

 adjacent coral reefs, and of long cores from the 

 islands and ocean floor, accomplished partly in 

 cooperation with other agencies and with various 

 institutions, will provide new knowledge that is 

 needed to explain the distribution of existing 

 biologic species and the origin and history of the 

 ocean basin. 



Continental Shelf 



In collaboration with other government agencies 

 and with oceanographic institutions, the Geo- 

 logical Survey will continue its program of geologic 

 mapping of the continental shelves and slopes 

 bordering the United States. The primary objec- 

 tive of this program is to pro\ ide a base for explo- 

 ration, evaluation, and development of geologic 

 resources. The mapping will proxide information 

 of direct applicability to ocean engineering, de- 

 velopment of biologic resources, identification of 

 earthquake hazards, defense, and recreational use 

 of nearshore areas. 



Emphasis of the reconnaisance investigations, 

 which are now underway along the east coast, will 

 be on completion of bedrock sampling, on labora- 

 tory investigations of material collected during 

 previous years, and on the preparation of reports 

 outlining results of the studies. 



On the Pacific shelf, the Survey will continue 

 its in\estigations of ocean-floor stability in sounds 



