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abstract 



On the familiarization cruise to the Bering and Chukchi 

 Seas during the summer of 1947, an oceanographic program 

 was undertaken, designed to provide basic scientific informa- 

 tion to determine the general navigational and operational 

 conditions in these waters. For that purpose, measurements 

 were made of the thermal conditions, salinity, depth, and 

 transparency of the water. In addition, meteorological, sea, 

 swell, ice, and slick observations were made. The sea floor 

 was investigated from bottom samples obtained by means of 

 coring and snapping devices and, in some instances, by bottom 

 photographs. Ambient noise, scattering layers, and biological 

 populations were also measured. Information regarding 

 currents and harbor conditions was obtained wherever possible. 

 These measurements are discussed, and explanations of the 

 distribution of the physical, chemical, biological, and geo- 

 logical variables are proposed. 



The data for this report were collected by members of 

 the Marine Studies and Sonar Branches and the Photography 

 Section of the U. S. Navy Electronics Laboratory, with as- 

 sistance from members of the Scripps Institution of Oceanog- 

 raphy. 



The report was prepared by E. C. LaFond, R. S. Dietz, 

 and D. W. Pritchard, with assistance from other members of 

 the Oceanographic Studies Section. The analysis of diatoms 

 was from the work of Mr. Brian Boden; the analysis of plank- 

 ton from the work of Dr. Martin W. Johnson of the Scripps 

 Institution of Oceanography. 



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