25. 



will permit an estimate of the extent to which the reaction will occur in 

 the kind of system we have considered. 



Calculations in which concentrations produced by various load- 

 ings into disposal areas have been compared with the maximum per- 

 missible concentrations in sea water, mentioned above, do not include 

 this reaction. These calculations are, therefore, always conservative 

 estimates. That is, the concentrations of wastes observed in the natu- 

 ral systems w^ill always be smaller than the calculated values. The 

 effect of neglecting sorption reactions will depend primarily on the 

 kind of bottom in the disposal area. In regions of highly turbid 

 waters with muddy bottoms it is reasonable to assume that a large 

 fraction of the activity will be sorbed onto the suspended solids and 

 carried to the bottom as sedimentation occurs. On the other hand, in 

 relatively clear waters with hard sandy bottoms, the sorption reaction 

 may be relatively insignificant. 



In selection of possible disposal areas, in addition to the consid- 

 erations outlined above, the following factors were evaluated: 



1. The intensity of fishing in the area . The disposal of wastes 

 in fishing areas is objectionable not only because of the possibility of 

 contamination of the fish, but also because an accumulation of con- 

 tainers on the bottom creates a hazard to fishing equipment. Trawl 

 gear undoubtedly would become damaged and possibly lost if dragged 



