50 Years of Ocean Discovery: National Science Foundation 1950-2000

National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources, Ocean Studies Board

National Academies Press, Jan 3, 2000 - Science - 283 pages

This book describes the development of ocean sciences over the past 50 years, highlighting the contributions of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to the field's progress. Many of the individuals who participated in the exciting discoveries in biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and marine geology and geophysics describe in the book how the discoveries were made possible by combinations of insightful individuals, new technology, and in some cases, serendipity.

In addition to describing the advance of ocean science, the book examines the institutional structures and technology that made the advances possible and presents visions of the field's future. This book is the first-ever documentation of the history of NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences, how the structure of the division evolved to its present form, and the individuals who have been responsible for ocean sciences at NSF as "rotators" and career staff over the past 50 years.

Contents

• The Emergence of the National Science Foundation as a Supporter of Ocean Sciences in the United States: 3
• Achievements in Biological Oceanography: 11
• Achievements in Chemical Oceanography: 22
• Achievements in Physical Oceanography: 44
• Achievements in Marine Geology and Geophysics: 51
• The Beginnings of ALVIN as a Tool of Basic Research and Introduction of Featured Speaker Dr Robert D Ballard: 65
• The History of Woods Holes Deep Submergence Program: 67
• A Chronology of the Early Development of Ocean Sciences at NSF: 87
• Early Evolution: 93
• An Administrative History: 96
• The Birth of UNOLS: 107
• Scientific Ocean Drilling from AMSOC to COMPOST: 117
• Technology Development for Ocean Sciences at NSF: 128
• The Great Importance of Small Science Programs: 137
• 19501980: 141
• IDOE Through Global Change: 149
• Ocean Chemistry: 152
• The Future of Ocean Chemistry in the United States1: 169
• A Summary1: 172
• Shifting Perspectives in Ocean Ecology: 184
• Toward an Integrated Approach1: 192
• History Purpose and Prognosis: 195
• Evolving Institutional Arrangements for US Ocean Sciences: 201
• NSFs Commitment to the Deep: 207
• Fifty Years of Ocean Discovery: 210
• Argo to ARGO: 212
• The Importance of Ocean Sciences to Society: 214
• APPENDIX A Symposium Program: 219
• APPENDIX B Symposium Participants: 223
• APPENDIX C Poster Session: 233
• Senior Science Staff Rotators IPAs and Visiting Scientists: 235
• APPENDIX E Support of Ocean Sciences at NSF from 1966 to 1999: 247
• APPENDIX F Organizational Charts: 250
• APPENDIX G NRC Project Oversight: 258
• APPENDIX H Acronyms: 259
• Index: 263
• Plates: 271

Bibliographic information

• Title: 50 Years of Ocean Discovery: National Science Foundation 1950-2000
• Authors: National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources, Ocean Studies Board
• Publisher: National Academies Press, 2000
• ISBN: 0309172578, 9780309172578
• Length: 283 pages
• Subjects: Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection; Science / Earth Sciences / General; Science / Earth Sciences / Oceanography