APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070028-8
cartographic computerized operations. A complex project, identified under the newly adopted name of Geodetic-Cartographic Informatics, is in preliminary planning stages. Technically, this project envisions automation in the field of mapping to combine geodetic, cartographic, gravimetric, and stereophotogrammetric background material into a centralized data bank.
(5) Hydrology, hydraulics, and coastal engineering research—Poland is one of the leading East European countries in hydrological and hydraulic research. Most research is directed toward a more thorough utilization of water resources for irrigation, navigation, flood control and river regulation, power, and water supplies. Recent efforts funded by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) deal chiefly with test models and field investigations for optimum development of the Vistula river basin. Polish hydrologic institutes are becoming increasingly aware of the need for effective pollution control and of managing biochemical, industrial, and nuclear wastes. Continuing research is being conducted to improve the design of various hydraulic structures and to devise new hydraulic components and instrumentation. Numerous tests have been conducted with the aid of wind tunnels in studying the phenomena of fluid mechanics in hydraulic structures.
Poland is one of the leading Warsaw Pact countries in coastal research. In recent years coastal research has concentrated on marine dynamics, shore processes, and shore protective works. Research is done in forecasting coastline changes, wave dynamics, delta sedimentation, migration and stabilization of coastal dunes, coastal shoreline processes and movement of particles in the littoral zone, and various problems of harbor and basin sedimentation. Polish scientists participate in several international organizations relating to coastal engineering problems and also work closely with their counterparts in East Germany and the U.S.S.R.
(6) Oceanography—The marine sciences have increased in importance in Polish scientific circles, although they are not first in its research efforts. Polish oceanographic capability ranks about the same as Denmark and East Germany. Applied research is receiving much greater emphasis than basic research. Oceanography appears to be the research arm of the maritime economy rather than a scientific discipline in itself. Polish marine science facilities are subordinated primarily to ministerial agencies and to a lesser degree to the Polish Academy of Sciences, because the ministerial agencies, especially the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Education and Training, have more funds for research in the marine sciences than organizations associated with PAN. In general, although funds for research are limited, Polish oceanographers do excellent and reliable work. A Special Committee on Oceanographic Research (SCOR) was established in 1961 (still active to date) under PAN to coordinate marine science activities and give direction in the expenditure of the academy's funds for oceanographic research.
Poland's marine economy is highly developed and is an increasingly important component of the economy. Polish oceanographic research is reacted toward biological oceanography investigations for the development of marine fisheries and toward forecasting of the coastal environment such as tidal predictions, ice, and weather. In coastal work, considerable effort is given to sediment transport in the littoral zone, wave effects on beaches, shoreline processes, harbor engineering, and sand dune migration. In addition, Polish oceanographers are concentrating on the monitoring of radioactivity in the sea and air, geomorphology and geology of the Baltic Sea, use of radioisotopes as tracers, and the study of wave dynamics.
Poland is strong in biological and geological oceanography and weak in physical oceanography, although activity in the latter appears to be increasing. This accelerated pace is noticeable in underwater sound propagation studies and sea level changes.
Most of the oceanographic instruments and equipment used by Polish oceanographers is of foreign manufacture, primarily from the U.S.S.R., Great Britain, France, West Germany, and the United States. Some of the indigenously made devices include oceanographic winches, underwater television, and an echo sounder for use with fishing nets. In addition, Polish oceanographers designed and constructed a series of underwater habitats. Medusa I, which was the first undersea habitat put into operation by Poland, was tested in 1967. Medusa II, a modification, underwent trials in 1968. Medusa III, a larger version of Medusa II, was deployed in the Gulf of Danzig at a 60-meter depth for 2 weeks during the summer of 1970.
The most important Polish oceanographic organizations are the Research Center for Oceanography, under the State Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology; Marine Fisheries Institute, subordinate to the Ministry of Transportation; and the Hydrographic Office of the Navy, all located in
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070028-8
