Summary of marine waste disposal research program in California / [submitted by California State Water Pollution Control Board].

  • California. State Water Quality Control Board.
Date:
1960
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Summary of marine waste disposal research program in California / [submitted by California State Water Pollution Control Board]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    GUIDELINES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES At this point, approximately midway through the research program on marine waste disposal, it is well to look at the program in its entire perspective, to review and reassess the orginal aims and purposes, to evaluate the progress to date, and to determine the major research needs that are most urgent and how they can best be accomplished. By its very nature, research does not lend itself to clear-cut, long-range planning without frequent revisions and realignment on the basis of the data obtained to date. For this reason, it is essential that the pro- gram be reviewed and reoriented from time to time in order to achieve the maximum benefit from the funds expended. PROGRESS TO DATE The submarine outfall research program has been underway since November 1956, with a total of seven research projects. The major project, in terms of funding and personnel, involving an oceanographic survey of the continental shelf area of southern California, should be completed by 30 June 1960, msofar as sampling and analysis are con- eerned. Another year will be required for completion of all of the analyses and interpretation of the data and a preparation of the final report. Consequently, by June 1961, this project will be terminated. The other project dealing with oceanographic analysis of the continental shelf area, at Humboldt State College, started later than the one at the Hancock Foundation, and consequently will probably not be com- pleted until June 1962. The project on the effect of waste discharges on kelp, at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, was originally intended for a total of four years; consequently, it should be terminated about June 1961. The other four projects that have been undertaken to date, namely the study of ocean current meters, the quantitation of oily substances on beaches and near-shore waters, the development of tracer techniques in flushing and pollution studies of estuaries, and the engineering evalu- ation and development of bioassay methods, have been completed to the extent of the original project scope. Each project, however, contained many aspects that are worthy of further research if funds become available. The intensity and scope of the work accomplished to date are a re- flection of the availability of funds, the research areas deemed most urgent, and the availability of research personnel and equipment ready to undertake these specific projects. With the major project drawing to an end within the next year or so, it is anticipated that funds will be available for a shift in emphasis to some of the research needs that have had to be postponed temporarily. The period from July 1961 to June 1962 should represent a time of significant reorientation of the