Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center

The Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center (SOSC) was established in 1962 as a unit of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) reporting to the Assistant Director for Oceanography. In 1966, administrative responsibility for SOSC was transferred to the newly created Office of Oceanography and Limnology (OLP). OLP was abolished in June 1974, and SOSC again became an administrative unit of NMNH. SOSC was terminated in 1992 The purpose of SOSC was to assist the international oceanographic effort by processing biological and geological specimens for scientists throughout the world. Other objectives of SOSC included environmental analyses of biological specimens and support services for field activities of the Smithsonian and other organizations. Directors of SOSC included H. Adair Fehlmann, 1962-1973; Betty J. Landrum, 1973-1978; Frank D. Ferrari, 1978-1981; Leslie W. Knapp, 1981-1988; and Ernani G. Menez, 1988-1992.