The author gives examples of the following: Theorem 1. For every integer \(n\geq 6\), there exists in the homology class \(n[{\mathbb{C}}{\mathbb{P}}^ 1]\in H_ 2({\mathbb{C}}{\mathbb{P}}^ 2;{\mathbb{Z}})\) a topologically locally flat embedded surface of genus strictly less than that of a non-singular complex algebraic curve of degree n (i.e. (1/2)(n-1)(n-2)).
Theorem 2. For every pair (m,n) of integers greater than or equal to 5 (except possibly (5,5)), there is a topologically locally flatly embedded surface in the 4-disc with boundary a torus link \(O\{\) m,n\(\}\) of type (m,n) and genus strictly less than the (classical) genus of \(O\{\) m,n\(\}\).
Note that topologically locally flat surfaces cannot be replaced in general by differentiable or P.L. locally flat surfaces. The construction used in theorems 1 and 2 relies on a result of Freedman namely: Let \(K\subset \partial D^ 4\) be a smooth knot with trivial Alexander polynomial. Then K bounds a topologically locally flat disc in \(D^ 4\).