Radionuclides in the marine environment

Dear NOAA Research Partners,
In the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, we are reminded once again of the devastating toll natural phenomena can wreak on a nation. The somber reality of this event is a reminder of the important work NOAA and our partners undertake to help keep people safe in the face of disasters, and to understand the impacts of these events on communities and ecosystems.

At the request of NOAA Deputy Under Secretary Mary Glackin, OAR has been leading a cross line-office effort to identify what scientific assistance NOAA can provide during this emergency. We recognize that your institutions contribute significantly to NOAA's scientific capabilities, and we invite your help identifying scientists, inside or outside your institutions, with environmental expertise applicable to the incident in Japan. We are most interested in expertise on radionuclides in the marine environment, particular related to observing them, modeling their movement, and effects on marine life. This effort is targeting our desire to stay ahead of the scientific questions that this event raises, particularly the disposition of material released in the marine environment.

If you have experts you would like to share with us, please send their name, area of expertise, and contact information to oar.constituents@noaa.gov.
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Beaverson (Chris.Beaverson@noaa.gov or 301-734-1013).
We may contact you again as the situation evolves and additional areas of expertise are required.
Thank you again for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Craig McLean
Acting Assistant Adminstrator
Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
www.research.noaa.gov