13, 



disposal problem was recommended as new information became avail- 

 able. 



In 1956 the National Academy of Sciences - National Research 

 Council organized six committees to examine the biological aspects of 

 atomic radiation. One of these committees was the Committee on the 

 Effects of Atomic Radiation on Oceanography and Fisheries. Detailed 

 results of the studies of this committee were published in 1957 as 

 Publication 551 of the NAS-NRC (3), and a summary of these results 

 was included in a summary report of the studies of all six committees (1). 



Publication 551 gives a detailed accounting of the state of know- 

 ledge of the physical, chemical, biological and geological factors in- 

 volved in the interaction of radioactive wastes, especially fission product 

 elements, with the marine environment. It also points out areas where 

 additional studies are needed to furnish the information needed before 

 reliable predictions can be made of hazards resulting from the disposal 

 of radioactive wastes into the oceans. While much of this study is con- 

 cerned with the deep oceans and the massive quantities of materials that 

 will be produced as a result of nuclear power production, it is, never- 

 theless, a useful guide in the attempted solution of all problems concerned 

 with radioactive wastes and the marine environment. 



Following the 1956 meetings of the Committee on the Effects of 

 Atomic Radiation on Oceanography and Fisheries, but before Publication 



