third place behind the runoff of oil from parking lots and the enormous 

 discharge of partially oxidized hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, 

 most of which must reach the oceans by way of river transport and 

 air-water exchange in the open ocean. 



Atmospheric transport of chlorinated hydrocarbons from land 

 sources into the oceans is also demonstrated by their worldwide oc- 

 currence in marine organisms, including those found far from any 

 land source. Other substances, such as lead and mercury, are also 

 transported in this manner. 



Estimates concerning the amounts of various wastes contributed to 

 the ocean by the air route, as compared with river discharges and 

 other sources, are still tenuous at best. 



The reason for this uncertainty is that measurements of the appro- 

 priate character have not been made. Waste transport through all 

 mechanisms, including effluent discharges, ocean clumping and air pol- 

 lution must be quantitatively measured and understood if we are to 

 maintain the quality of the marine environment. We have learned 

 that ocean contamination is a total environmental problem. 



Recent Federal legislation, such as the Clean Air Act, can be ex- 

 pected to significantly reduce atmospheric transport of pollutants. 

 Other legislation such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and 

 the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act can be expected 

 to significantly reduce direct ocean pollution. 



MARINE MINING 



There is a clear future potential for utilizing ocean mineral re- 

 sources including ferromanganese nodules, the mineral-rich objects 

 found on the ocean floor in a number of areas in the Pacific and else- 

 where. Their widespread occurrence was first established 100 years 

 ago. Extensive exploration within the last 10 years by industry and 

 academic institutions has revealed that these mineral deposits con- 

 stitute a potential source of ore containing valuable components of 

 manganese, copper, nickel, and cobalt, as well as trace elements. 



It seems likely that we will see commercial mining of these deposits 

 in the future, yet the environmental impact of deep-ocean mining is 

 unknown. The nodules richest in mineral values occur in the abyssal 

 depths and usually in areas of low biological productivity far from 

 land, or traditional fishing grounds. 



In order to begin to establish information relating to the environ- 

 mental impact of deep sea mining, NOAA is supporting a study to 

 obtain baseline measurements of the marine environment at a typical 

 site about 1,200 miles east of Hawaii. It is a start toward assessing 

 environmental effects of future mining operations. 



Offshore sand and gravel deposits as construction materials con- 

 stitute another marine resource with great potential for expansion. 

 Unlike mining of ferromanganese nodules, sand and gravel mining- 

 would take place quite close to land and in relatively shallow waters. 

 Offshore sand and gravel deposits have long been mined in the United 

 Kingdom and other European countries. 



In Japan, 18 percent of the total sand and gravel production is sup- 

 plied from the sea floor ; in the United Kingdom the production is up 

 to 13 percent. 



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