WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH SERIES • 15080DZR 11/70
SANTA BARBARA
OIL POLLUTION, 1969
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR • FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
-------
SANTA BARBARA OIL POLLUTION, 1969
A Study of the Biological Effects of the
Oil Spill Which Occurred at Santa Barbara, California
in 1969
by
The University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara/ California
for the
FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Program Number 15080 DZR 10/70
October/ 1970
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 55 cents
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT i
INTRODUCTION 1-3
Organization of Report ....... . , ............... ... U
Literature Cited ................................. 5
THE SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL I. 6-2U
INITIAL QUANTITIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF POLLUTANT CRUDE OIL
Introduction .................................... . 6-8
Chronology ....................................... 8-9
Materials and Methods ............................ 9-12
Results .......................................... 12-22
Conclusions and Discussion ....................... 22
Acknowledgements ................................. 23
Literature Cited ................................. 2U
THE SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL II. 25- UH
INITIAL EFFECTS ON LITTORAL AND KELP ORGANISMS
Introduction ..................................... 25-26
Materials and Methods ............................ 26-27
Results .......................................... 27-39
Conclusions and Discussion ....................... 29-1*1
Acknowledgements ................................. 1»2
Literature Cited ................................. k$-kk
GENERAL DISCUSSION 1*5-1*9
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
-------
ABSTRACT
The initial flow of oil that began on January 28, 1969, from an off-
shore oil platform deposited an estimated U,500 metric tons of pollutant
oil on nearly 90 kilometers of coast by February 8, 1969. Winds, wave
action, tides, and substrate determined the pattern of the oil distri-
bution in the intertidal zone. Heavy biological damage occurred in in-
tertidal surf grass and barnacle populations as a result of the oil
pollution. Based on earlier surveys, the greatest negative biological
change at a sample station was the loss of 16 plant species. However,
these losses in species were attributable in most cases to sand movement
and other storm-associated events. The potential long-term biological
effects of the continuing pollution are discussed.
-------
INTRODUCTION
In early February, 1969? crude oil began to wash up on the beach in
front of the Marine Laboratory of the University of California at
Santa Barbara. It was becoming apparent that this oil, coming from the
site of an offshore drilling platform was not just another minor pollu-
tion incident. One might categorize minor pollution incidents which
have,occurred in the Santa Barbara area in recent months as 3&0 metric
tons spilled by an oil tanker on January 30, 19&9; 235 to U65 metric
tons of gasoline accidentally discharged from a tank farm at Gaviota on
July 2, 1968; and 6.9 metric tons of crude oil spilled from Platform
Hogan on June 18, 1968. Subsequent to the Santa Barbara spill, which
still continues at the time of this writing, there were other smaller
spills along the coast. The most recent was a discharge from a tanker
which polluted the Pismo Beach region.
The Santa Barbara oil spill rapidly reached proportions comparable to
major oil spills. The Torrey Canyon, in 1967, spilled between 30,000
and 39,000 metric tons. The Tampico Maru, a tanker wrecked off the
coast of Baja, California, in 1957, spilled 8,600 metric tons of diesel
oil. The Santa Barbara spill is estimated to have exceeded 11,200
metric tons by May 7, 1969 (Allen, 1969).
The events which occurred following the beginning of the Santa Barbara
oil spill, have been repeatedly reviewed. The brief chronology presen-
ted here is to provide both an introduction to some of the major events
and a frame of reference for the discussion at the end of this report.
On January 28, 19&9, about 10 km off the coast of Montecito, a blow-out
occurred on offshore drilling platform A. On January 29, 2k hours later,
approximately 5,000 barrels (726 metric tons) of oil per day (Allen, 19^9)
was coming up through five cracks in the ocean bottom. Detergents were
being spread in the area. Equipment to help stop the flow was being
flown in from Texas, and by noon on the 29th of January, public officials,
who were previously unaware of the situation, had been informed. On
January 30, the oil slick covered approximately 390 square kilometers,
and offshore winds held the slick away from the coast. On January 31,
the slick was estimated at 520 square kilometers, and oil was beginning
to come ashore on Rincon Beach. By February 1, the oil was spreading
and Summerland, Carpinteria, and Anacapa Island were threatened. On
February U, oil was coming ashore in areas close to Rincon, and by Feb-
ruary U, Anacapa Island was surrounded by oil. The slick was estimated
at this time to be between 520 and 1,300 square kilometers in size. By
February 5, the Santa Barbara harbor was filled with oil and closed;
some oil was in the Ventura Marina, and the slick was estimated to be
2,080 square kilometers in area. By February 6, a 32 km stretch of main-
land had been polluted by the oil. On February 7, drilling mud was being
1. There is often confusion over the units used in reporting amounts of
oil. We have chosen to use the metric system throughout this report.
Table 1 gives conversion factors.
-------
Table 1
Conversion Factors
A. Conversion Factor for California Crude Oil, Specific Gravity = 0.91?
at 6o°F (Baumeister, 1958)
1 Gallon (U.S. Liquid) = 7-636 Pounds (Avoirdupois)
B. Other Conversions
1 Barrel = k2 Gallons (U.S. Liquid)
1 Barrel = 321 Pounds
1 Short Ton = 2,000 Pounds
1 Long Ton = 2,2^0 Pounds
1 Kilogram =2.21 Pounds
1 Metric Ton = 1,000 Kilograms
1 Metric Ton =1.1 Short Tons
1 Metric Ton =6.9 Barrels
-------
brought from Los Angeles to be pumped into the well. In order to soa>
up or sink the floating oil, 2,300 metric tons of straw were being
brought in from the San Joaquin and Antelope Valleys per day, and at
least 18 metric tons of talc and diatomaceous earth had been delivered.
There was understandable confusion as to the amount of oil which was
being released during the early days of the spill. On January 30, Union
Oil officials claimed that the Santa Barbara News Press misquoted them
in stating that the seep was producing 5>000 barrels (726 metric tons)
per day. Jerry Luboviski, Communications Director for Union Oil in Los
Angeles, claimed that the rate was 500 barrels (72.6 metric tons) per
day.1 Independently, Alan A. Allen (1969), using color aerial photo-
graphs and the work of Blokker (196U) to help support thickness estimates,
estimated the flow on February 2 to be a minimum of 726 metric tons per
day. If the flow were 500 barrels (72.6 metric tons) per day, as esti-
mated by "knowledgeable engineers" (Editor's Note in Jones et al 1969),
a slick of 78 square kilometers would have been formed in three days.
Instead, a slick of 520 square kilometers was formed in three days. On
February 18, Union Oil estimated the flow which had been renewed by that
date to be between .k and l.U metric tons per day. A Fish and Game esti-
mate was 6.9 metric tons per day, and a revised Union Oil estimate was
between 6.9 and 13.8 metric tons per day. On March 2, the leak was
reduced to 3-5 metric tons per day according to Department of Interior
estimates.3 On March 5, the Department of Interior estimated that the
flow, after increasing again, had dropped from 35 metric tons per day
back to 3-5 metric tons per day. It became very clear that regardless
of the accuracy of the measurement, this was going to be a sizeable oil
pollution incident.
It has been estimated that as much as 226,000 metric tons of petroleum
wastes per year are discharged on the sea surface by ships alone (ZoBell.
1963). Pilpel (1968) has pointed out that the quantities of oil being
handled by ships, pipelines, and in other ways makes it almost inevitable
that some of this oil will find its way into the sea. He also points o\i7
that the cleaning of tanks by oil tankers at sea, which releases a. heavy,
oily sludge, may be of greater world-wide significance than the releases
from wrecked tankers.
ZoBell (1963) provides a comprehensive review of the occurrence and ef-
fects of oil on the sea. A more recent unpublished bibliography and
literature review done by the Batelle Memorial Institute (1967) and made
available to us, provides additional up-to-date information about marine
oil pollution in general.
1. Santa Barbara News Press, January 30, 1969.
2. Santa Barbara News Press, February 18, 1969-
3. Santa Barbara News Press, March 2, 1969-
k. Santa Barbara News Press, March 5, 1969-
-------
Organization of Report
This report consists of the introductory material, two short papers, and
a general discussions. Bibliographic material for each part of the re-
port is located at the end of that part. The first paper, The Santa
Barbara Oil Spill, I_. Initial Quantities and Distribution of_ Pollutant
Crude Oils, deals with the amounts of stranded oil and its distribution.
The second paper, The Santa Barbara Oil Spill, II. Initial Effects on
Littoral and Kelp Bed Organisms, deals with the preliminary biological
effects that we observed. A treatment of aspects of the Santa Barbara
pollution problem that relates our observations to those of others and
considers the broader implications of marine pollution in general, has
been incorporated in the discussion section.
-------
Literature Cited
Allen, A. A. 1969. Santa Barbara Oil Spill. Statement presented to U.
S. Senate Interior Committee Subcommittee on Minerals, Materials, and
Fuels (May 20).
Batelle Memorial Institute, 196?• Oil Spillage Study Literature Search
and Critical Evaluation for Selection of Promising Techniques to
Control and Prevent Damage. To_ Dept. of Transportation, United
States Coast Guard, Washington, D. C.
Baumeister, T. (Ed.) 1958, Mark's Mechanical Engineers' Handbook. 6th
ed. McGraw-Hill, New York, p. 7-21.
Blokker, P. C. 196^. Spreading and Evaporation of Petroleum Products on
Water. In_ Proceedings on Uth International Harbor Conference, Ant-
werp, Belgium, p. 911-919-
Jones, L. G., C. T. Mitchell, E. K. Anderson, and W. J. North. 1969.
Just How Serious Was the Santa Barbara Oil Spill? Ocean Industry k:
53-56.
Pilpel, N. 1968. The Natural Fate of Oil on the Sea. Endeavour 27: 11-
13-
ZoBell, C. E. 1963. The Occurrence, Effects, and Fate of Oil Polluting
the Sea. Intern. J. Air Wat. Poll. 7:173-197-
-------
THE SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL I.
INITIAL QUANTITIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF POLLUTANT CRUDE OIL
M. Foster, A.C. Charters and M. Neushul
Department of Biological Sciences
University of California at Santa Barbara
INTRODUCTION
Pollution of the California coast has been a threat of increasing sever-
ity for the last 40 years. In response to this threat, the late E. Yale
Dawson carried out surveys of the flora of the intertidal region at a
series of sites along the coast from Government Point, Santa Barbara
County, to Bird Rock, La Jolla, San Diego County (Dawson, 1959). The
original surveys were done in 1956 and 1957- Some of these were re-
surveyed by phycology students at the University of California at Santa
Barbara in 1966 and 1967. These studies provide a standard of refer-
ence against which change in the biota of the intertidal can be measured.
They provide a basis for evaluating the effects of marine pollution of
various sorts.
On January 28, 19&9? threat became reality for the coast near Santa
Barbara. Drilling operations on ocean platform "A" of the Union Oil
Company (Fig. l) resulted in an uncontrolled flow of oil from a deep
reservoir through fissures in oil-bearing sands to the sea floor. Winds
and currents began driving the oil ashore in the vicinity of Santa Bar-
bara three days after the spill began. Some 6l kilometers of coastline
had been oiled by the fourth day, and eventually, over l6l kilometers of
coast, including the Channel Islands, were affected (see map, Fig. l).
An oil pollution problem of major proportion was clearly at hand.
The reaction to the oil spill was immediate and vigorous. Action was
taken to stop the flow of oil, clean up the beaches, and survey the
damage. As a part of this effort, biologists at the University of Cali-
fornia at Santa Barbara (U.C.S.B.) took steps to begin determinations of
1. This study was -supported by the Federal Water Pollution Control Ad-
ministration, Grant #ll±-12-5l6 and in part by NSF GB 5952 and GH k3.
2. A comprehensive collection of oil pollution literature including
these unpublished student surveys, is deposited in the Oil Archives
of the University of California at Santa Barbara library.
-------
-El Copiton State Beach A
-Coal Oil Point B
•Santa Barbara Point D
Eucalyptus Lane £
•Loon Point F
/-Carpinteria Reef G
Hobson Beach H
Palm Street, Ventura |
Campus Poi
Santa Barbar
Platform
Oil contaminated area
on Feb 5,1969
San Miguel
Leo Carrillo State Beach J
Figure 1
Map of Santa Barbara area showing location of intertidal transects,
(Rl Capitan State Beach, Station A, through Leo Carillo State Beach,
Station J), offshore drilling platform A, and extent of oil contamina-
tion on February 5, 1969, as measured by Allen.
-------
8
the effects on the marine life along the coast. The resources, which we
could bring to bear, were meager compared with the total problem. Never-
theless, we felt that work done promptly, even though limited in extent,
would be more valuable than waiting to do a comprehensive, better-instru-
mented study later.
The work discussed in this paper centered on the reactivation of the
Dawson intertidal surveys. Two questions were considered: l) What
was the oil dosage in the intertidal at the survey sites? 2) What were
the effects of the dosage on the biota? This paper reports measurements
of the dosage. The biological effects are reported by Foster, Neushul,
and Zingmark (1969).
The Santa Barbara, oil pollution problem has become the subject of nation-
wide controversy. It is our intent to give here only a factual report
of our measurements and our methods of analysis. We have discussed other
measurements which we consider pertinent, treating these in a straight-
forward and factual manner without making value judgments. It is for
others to resolve the complicated legal and economic questions that have
arisen.
CHRONOLOGY
Natural seeps of crude oil from submerged strata have long been a famil-
iar feature of the ocean off the California coast. Early records from
the voyages of Captain George Vancouver in 1792-9** document the appear-
ance of an oil slick in the Santa Barbara Channel. In recent times,
increased public use of beaches has stimulated studies of this source of
oil pollution. The concentration of natural seepage oil on beaches in
the Santa Barbara area was measured by Mertz (1959)• The highest recorded
concentration is 100 pounds per 500 square feet (l kilogram per square
meter) for Coal Oil Point measured on June 12, 1958; the average for the
year 1958 at Coal Oil Point being 21.5 pounds per 500 square feet (.2
kg/m2). The location of natural oil seeps can be seen from the air.
The new, man-made oil seep at Santa Barbara created a slick which was
readily visible in aerial photographs. Aerial photographs of the slick
were measured as a basis for determining the area covered by the spill,
the thickness of the oil being determined from its color (Alan A. Allen,
personal communication1). Previous studies by Blokker (196^), combined
with color-thickness relationships established by the American Petroleum
1. The authors are indebted to A. A. Allen, General Research Corpora-
tion, Santa Barbara, for making this data available prior to its
publication.
2. One barrel of petroleum = k2 U.S. gals., luq., 60°F. One metric
ton =6.9 barrels. (These conversions for California crude oil with
a specific gravity of 0.917).
-------
Institute, support the assumption that oil appearing dark blue-black on
the surface of the sea is on the order of 0.001" in thickness or greater.
Thus, the area of a black oil slick multiplied by O.OOl" gives a con-
servative estimate of its volume. Measurements of the increase in volume
of the growing slick, would thus give a day-by-day rate of flow. In this
way, Allen estimated the average daily flow rate during the initial mas-
sive spill as on the order of 5,000 barrels (726 metric tons) per day.1
The oil flowed at this rate for the 10-| days from January 28 to February 7,
1969. The flow was then reduced temporarily. By this time, well over
50,000 barrels (7,260 metric tons) of crude oil had flowed into the Chan-
nel waters. After four days, the leak resumed at a reduced rate and has
been flowing at various rates ever since. Allen estimates that a minimum
of 78,000 barrels (11,290 metric tons) of oil flowed into the Channel
during the first one-hundred days of the spill. The maximum figure could
be greater by an order of magnitude since 0.01" thicknesses are common in
oil spills, and parts of the Santa Barbara slick were probably thicker,
especially near the platform. Hence, the actual figure probably lies
between 78,000 and 780,000 barrels (11,290 and 112,900 metric tons).
Table I compares the magnitude of the Santa Barbara pollution one-hundred
days after its start with other major oil spills.
In the first eight days, the oil slick spread out over the surface of
the ocean to cover an area of approximately 1,700 square kilometers.
The limit of the slick on the eighth day, according to Allen, is shown
on the map in Fig. 1. By this time, the oil had been coming ashore on
Santa Barbara beaches for nearly five days.
Measurements of oil dosage in this study were made on February 8, 9> 10,
and 13- Since the leak was temporarily halted on February 7, only part
of the oil from the first massive outflow had reached the coast and was
included in our measurements. The subsequent stranding of additional
floating oil and the flow of new oil after the 13th, has produced a com-
plex dosage pattern. This paper deals only with the initial oil pollu-
tion amounts and distribution.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eight _of Dawson's 1956-1957 intertidal transect sites and one additional
site were selected for sampling (Fig. l). A tenth sampling site, Station
J on Figure 1, was not oiled during the period of this survey and is
therefore not included in any other figures or tables. The oil ashore
as of February 13, was still within the confines of the most northern
and most southern of the stations.
A rapid sampling method, using readily-available and inexpensive mate-
rials, was employed at each station. A measuring tape was attached at
the high tide level near a convenient land mark and extended along the
1. Op.cit. 2.
-------
Table I
Summary of Major Marine Oil Spills
Spill
Amount Spilled Dosage on Shore Source of
(metric tons) (metric tons/km) Information
Total Oil Spilled
from Ships in
196k
Torrey Canyon
Oil Tanker Wreck 196?
Tampicu Maru
Oil'Tanker Wreck 1957
Santa Barbara 1969
(First 100 Days)
226,000
119,000
8,000
11,290 to 112,900
59 to 169*
27,000
51.1***
ZoBell 1963
Smith 1968
North et al 1961*
see text
* These figures calculated from the dosages given for the Cornish and French Coasts.
The tonnages given in Smith, were assumed to be long tons. 1 Long ton = 1.02
metric tons.
** Dosage after first 11 days.
-------
11
transect line to the water's edge. Five equidistant points were marked
on the line and the substrate beneath each point was sampled for oil.
Sampling was done by pushing the open end of a one-pound coffee can,
which had a small hole in the botton, into the sand. By putting ones
finger over the hole to maintain a partial vacuum, a core of wet sand
and oil was extracted. When the sample point fell on a rocky substrate
or dry sand, the oil, if present, was scraped from an area corresponding
to the area of the sampling-can opening. Samples were removed from the
cans, placed in aluminum foil, labeled, sealed, and stored at 2°C prior
to analysis. Sampling cans that became fouled with oil were discarded
and replaced with new ones for subsequent sampling. This sampling method
yielded cores of oil and sand ranging from 5 to 15 cm deep. In most
cases, the oil formed r. surface layer and did not penetrate deeply into
the sand. Oil from the core samples was separated from the sand by dis-
solving it in ether. Following the evaporation of the solvent, the oil
was weighed.1
Sand movements along local beaches have covered oily layers with a meter
or more of sand in certain areas. This covering phenomenon had not oc-
curred at our stations at the time of sampling. The sand at these sta-
tions generally formed only a thin layer over a primarily rock substrate.
In addition to the cere method, black and white aerial photographs^ of
areas around Santa Barbara Point (Station D) and Eucalyptus Lane (Station
E) were used to derive a partially independent estimate of intertidal
oil dosage. Oil on the water surface, in the offshore kelp beds, and on
the intertidal zone could be identified from these photographs. The
appearance of intertidal surfaces was designated as being black (heavy
oil), grey (moderate to light oil), or clean. The area of each of these
three surfac^ types was measured directly fron the aerial photographs
with a polar planimeter. Areas of black and grey coverage thus obtained
were converted to dosage of oil with the aid of the core sampling data
from the two stations. The average of the highest two core values for
each station was considered as representative of oil amounts in black
areas. An average of the two lowest core values was considered as rep-
resentative of the amount of oil on grey areas.
Calculations of the potential amount of oil which 2ould have come ashore
by February 8 were made using Allen's estimates of the total flow from
the platform. To use this method, one has to assume that the oil spread
in a uniform circular pattern from the spill site. A sector of this
circular pattern, constructed by drawing lines"from the platform to El
1. Analysis of core samples was carried out by the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control 'Laboratories, Alamsda, California.
2.. Aerial photographs were taken by and are available from Mark Hurd
Aerial Surveys, Inc., Goleta, California. In addition, the set of
photographs used in this report are on file in the Oil Archives of
the U.C.S.B. library.
-------
12
Capitan and to Port Hueneme, is assumed to have come ashore. The dosage
ashore on February 8, can then be estimated by multiplying the total flow
over the eleven days from January 28 to February 8 by the ratio of the
number of degrees in the sector divided by 3&0 degrees. This "sector1
estimate does not take into account currents, winds, or the amounts of
oil held by the kelp. However, it is useful in making comparisons with
the estimates derived by the core and aerial photographic methods. Evap-
oration and emulsification rates of crude oil were not considered in any
of the dosage calculations.
RESULTS
Oil and gas flowed at high pressure from fissures in the sea floor at the
site of the leak and formed a spectacular "boiling" pool of oil on the
surface. From there the oil spread in an irregular pattern of streaks
and patches, changing with time and shaped by wind, tides, and currents.
Experience with the Torrey Canyon disaster indicated that the course of
the oil could be predicted "after the event" by assuming that the oil
moved relative to the water with a velocity vector about 3-3 to 3-^ of
the relative wind vector (Smith, 1968).
The Davidson Current moves up the Southern California coast in the winter
(from Los Angeles towards San Francisco). This weak current by itself
might have brought at least part of the oil from Platform A to Santa
Barbara and the coast to the west (See Fig. l).
Counteracting this, the prevailing winds usually blow from the northwest.
Ordinarily, the movement of the oil due to wind action would more than
off set that due to the current. Unfortunately for Santa Barbara, at the
time the oil began gushing from the ocean floor, two severe storms came
into the area, one immediately after the other, accompanied by gale winds
from the southeast. These strong winds pushed much of the oil from the
initial spill onto the Santa Barbara coast. The limits to which the oil
slick had spread by February 5 are shown in Figure 1.
As the oil slick moved toward the beach, its course was obstructed in
many places by the dense floating canopy of giant kelp, Macrocystis
Angustifolia (Figures 2 and 3). The surface foliage in the canopy be-
came heavily coated with oil. Significant quantities of oil were re-
tained by the kelp canopy. However, the kelp is covered with water and
a thin layer of mucilage and the oil did not adhere to'its surface
(Foster, ejt. al., 1969). The beds thus acted as a reservoir which only
temporarily impeded the passage of the oil. Later, depending on wind
and tide, the trapped oil was released from the kelp and blown onto the
coast or out to sea. From the air, the oil could be seen to stream from
the kelp canopy onto the beach (Figure 3). Kelp harvesting firms repor-
ted that on February 6 the kelp beds from Coal Oil Point to Carpinteria,
covering an area of over 33 square kilometers, were blackened by oil
(Kelco Co., personal communication). However, detailed measurements of
the exact amount of oil in the beds at any one time could not be made
-------
K
Santa Barbara
Carpinteria
Ventura
San Miguel
Santa Cruz
Santa Rosa
Port Hueneme
Anacapa
K
Figure 2
20 Km
LEGEND
Dosage in metric tons/kilometer
Very light oil (less than 3)
Light oil(3-30)
Moderate Oil (30-70} Distribution of oil dosage along the Santa Barbara coast
Heavy oil(70-IOO)
Very heavy oil (greater than 100)
Section letter from table HE
Kelp
CO
-------
14
Figure 3
Aerial photograph taken over Station E on February lU,
A: Oil streaming from offshore kelp bed.
B: BlacK area of heavy oil on intertidal.
C: Intertidal transect, Station E.
Scale in meters.
-------
15
from black and white aerial photographs since both plants in unoiled
pre-pollution photographs and those in oiled beds appear black. Also,
there is a complex mosaic of oil thicknesses seen in and around the beds.
The oil comes onto the coast with the tide, and each successive wave
brings the oil higher and higher on the intertidal zone. At flood tide,
the spray and surge coat the upper intertidal zone. As the tide ebbs an
irregular coating of oil is left as a patchy covering over the entire
intertidal zone (Figures U and 5)•
Coastal areas polluted as shown in Figures U and 5 remain this way only
so long as the oil continues to flow in from the sea. The oil sticks to
dry, rough surfaces, and adheres weakly to wet surfaces. With water
coming in on successive tides, the oil coating floats off wet surfaces
and is redeposited in the high littoral zone, on cliffs, and on the
upper parts of rocks exposed long enough to dry between tides. A typical
beach on which the oil has been redeposited in this manner is shown in
Figure 6. The oil here is heavy enough in places to form pools. Warm-
ing by the sun causes the oil to flow from the pools down on the beach
(Figure ?)•
The basic measurements of oil pollution using the core method are presen-
ted in Tables IIA and IIB. They give the amount and distribution of the
oil on the beach at the Dawson survey stations. All stations were sur-
veyed on February 8, and certain selected stations were further surveyed
on February 9, 10, 12, and 13-
The dosage on Saturday, February 8, is listed in Table IIA. On this
eleventh day of the spill, the oil had been flowing onto the beaches
from four to seven days and was continuing to flow on this date. The
entries in the Table are the "raw data"—that is, the measurements of
oil in the core samples--modified only by dividing the weight of oil in
each sample by the area of the coffee can (8.1 x 10~3 m2) to give the
concentration in kg/m2. The data in each row gives the measurements at
each survey station with individual measurements at the five core posi-
tions being listed in order from the cliff to the sea, with the average
being listed at the right. Remarks on the state of the beach at the
time of the survey are also included.
The dosage on successive days for certain of -che survey stations are
listed in Table IIB. The core sample data has been treated and is
presented in the same way in both tables.
The highest concentration measured was 10.6 kg/m2 at the cliff position
at Santa Barbara Point on February 8. The highest average over the
survey line was 5-6 kg/m2 for the same station. The average on February
8 for the four adjacent stations in the Santa Barbara area, stretching
from Campus Point to Loon Point, was 3.U kg/m2 (Stations C, D, E, and F;
Figure l).
We emphasize the temporal nature of our results. They are the oil dosage
on a particular beach on a particular day. We recognize that our results
-------
16
Figure
Distribution of oil at ebb tide on Arroyo Burro Beach (part of coastal
section D, Figure 2), February 6, 1969.
Figure 5
Distribution of oil on rocky intertidal in the vicinity of Station F,
March U, 1969.
a>- *«&"•"'
\*i|>fc fe -i"*^
"•^
Oil redeposited in the high intertidal at Arroyo Burro Beach,
Figure 7
Oil running down from high intertidal pool of oil and debris.
-------
Station
Original New Desig-
Dawson nation
Number
Table IIA
Oil Measured from Core Samples Taken February 8,
Oil Dosage (kg/m2)
Remarks
Position
Cliff Ocean
123^
Ave.
UO
--
28
27
39
38
15
35
12
A
B
c
D
E
F
G
H
I
0
0
1
10
1
k
0
0
2
.12
.09
.02
.59
.8k
.57
.20
.35
.23
0
0.01
0.7^
8.10
k.ok
U.53
U.25
0.19
3-91
0
5
3
2
6
0
0
k
0
.11
.76
.09
.1*9
.87
.01
.32
.60
0.
i.
0.
0.
3-
0.
0.
7.
0
12
76
70
Ok
28
15
01
k7
0.6U
0.20
0.02
__
__
1.67
0
0.05
2.52
0.15
0.11
1.86
5.62
2.10
U.18
0.92
0.18
U.15
Area generally clean; old oil on rocks
Sand relatively free of oil; fresh oil
on upper rocks on top of old tar; 80%
of drift seaweed covered with oil .
Sandy areas covered with oil soaked
kelp and debris .
Area covered with oil up to 5 cm deep
and oil covered with hay.
Oil over entire area and covering a
large tide pool; very thick in spots.
Oil covering beach and in water .
Storm debris covered with oil.
Oil thin and patchy; mostly in upper
intertidal .
50$ of beach covered; oil up to 2 cm
thick in places.
Oil in blobs covering 80 - 90/0 of
beach. Oil reddish brown in color.
-------
Date
Station
Table IIB
Oil Measured from Core Samples Taken after February b, 1969
Oil Dosage (kg/m2)
Position
00
Remarks
Cliff
123
2/10/69
2/9/69
2/9/69
2/9/69
2/12/69
2/10/69
2/10/69
2/13/69
2/13/69
C. 5.05
D 0.25
F k.OQ
G 0.62
H 0.83
I 0.59
D 5.28
F
I* 0.27
1-9k 7.36
0.02 0.10
0.05 0.11
0.35 O.Oif
O.Vf 0.23
0.0k 0.02
0.06 0.07
0.52 2.50
0.01 0.0k
Ocean
k 5
3.83
0.23 0.05
2.51
0.59 0.23
o.ok o.ok
0.02 0.01
0.02
0.1*9
0.01 0.86
Ave.
U.55
0.13
1.69
0.37
0.32
O.Ik
1.36
1.17
0.21+
Debris stuck together by heavy oil
cover. Oil tar on rocks beneath new
oil.
Thin layer of sand covering oily
layer beneath. Rocks and sand in high
intertidal 50$ covered.
No comments.
More oil at water's edge than on 2/8.
High tide area coverage as on 2/8.
80$ coverage of thin oil up to 2mm
thick. Water brown with some floating
oil patches.
Blobs of oil gone and sand covered with
thin oily film. Beach cleaned natur-
ally. No oil visible in core samples.
Some oil still on high rocks.
Much oil removed since 2/8; workmen
raking and bulldozing oil -hay mixture.
Gooey underlayer still present.
High rocks very oily; low rocks only
have small spots of oil. Straw and
oil soaked debris on and between rocks.
No comments.
* Two samples taken at each position 50 feet apart. Derived numbers represent the average of the two samples.
-------
19
may be criticized on the oasis that our samples are too meager and our
observations, day by day, far too limited. In their defense, our data
are consistent with other measurements, as will be discussed shortly,
and in addition, ours are the only explicit, systematic measurements, so
far as we know, of the oil distribution on the beaches coming from the
Santa Barbara oil spill. In the spirit of the March Hare, as he replied
to the Mad Hatter's complaint: "it was the best butter, you know."
We have estimated the total oil ashore on February 8 from the oil sample
measurements. The calculations were made as follows: We divided the
length of the coast up into sections, as shown in Figure 2. Each section
contained one of the Dawson survey stations: it stretched from midway
between the Dawson station to the west, to midway to the Dawson station
to the east. We assume that the average oil dosage for the entire area
of a particular section equals the average at the Dawson station contained
in the section. We also assume that the average width of the beach is the
same as that at the Dawson station at the time of the sampling, and in
some stations we have added the height of the oil splashed up on the cliff
to the width of the beach.
The total weight of oil on a section of the beach, T, is given by
T = (c 1 w) x 10~3, metric tons, and the concentration of oil per unit
length of the coastline, t, by t = (T/l) x 10~3, metric tons/km where
c = concentration, kg/m^, from Table IIA; 1 = length of beach, meters;
w = width of beach, meters. T, t, c, 1, and w are listed in Table III.
In Figure 2, t, for each section is indicated by a cross-hatched pat-
tern in which the range of concentrations is indicated by the type of
cross-hatching; t is given section by section along a chart of the coast.
In Figure 8, t is plotted as a bar graph with t as ordinate, and distance
along the coast as abscissa (i.e., the coastline is "straightened out").
The total weight of oil ashore on February 8 from El Capitan to Port
Hueneme is given in Table III. We estimate that the total amount was
4,508 metric tons.
From planimetric analysis of aerial photographs as dosage figure of 76
metric tons per kilometer was obtained for 'Section D, and 59 metric tons
per kilometer for Section E. This can be compared with core method es-
timates of 118 and 63 metric tons per kilometer respectively (Table III
and Figure 8). The planimetrically determined dosage for Section D is
based, on the average area of grey and black regions of the shore around
Station D on February 7 and 10. The averages of high and low core meas-
urements for February 8, 9, and 10 were used to estimate the weight of
oil stranded on Section D. Dosage on Section E was obtained by averaging
black and grey areas from photographs taken over Station E on February
5 and lU (Figure 3 is part of the photograph taken on February lU), and
combining this information with the core data taken on February 8.
Using the flow rate estimates of Allen along with the uniform spread
assumptions discussed previously, the amount of oil which could have
come ashore in the 190 degree sector, defined by lines from Platform A
to El Capitan and Port Hueneme, was calculated. If the flow rate was
the lower estimate of 5,000 barrels (726 metric tons) per day, then in
-------
to
Table III
Estimates of Total Oil Dosage Derived from Core Samples and Aerial Photographs
Section Width of
Station
in
Section
(Fig.l)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Section
Letter
(Fig. 2)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Beach
(m)
18
35
30
18
30
21
18
18
15
Added Width Total
of Oiled
Cliff (m)
0
0
0
3
0
2
0
0
2
Width
(m)
M
18
35
30
21
30
23
18
18
17
Horizontal
Length of
Section
(m)
(D
6,149**
3,21*1
8,102
11,31*3
6,250
5,556
11,806
13,427
21,529
Area of
Section
(m2)
116,892
113,1*35
243, 060
238,203
187,500
127,788
212,508
241,686
365,993
Ave.Oil Total Oil
Dosage
(kg/m2
(c)
0.15
0.11
1.86
5.62
2.10
1*.18
0.92
0.18
1*.15
; on Section
•) (metric
tons)
(T)
18
13
1*52
1,339
39**
53^
196
1*1*
1,519
Ave.Oil
on Section
(metric
tons/km)
(t)
2.7
3-9
55-8
118.1
63.0
96.1
16.6
3.2
70.5
Ave.Oil
From
Aerial
Photos
(mt/km)
--
--
--
76
59
—
--
—
--
Total Length of Coast: 87.7 kilometers
p
Total Area of Beach: 1,81*7 km
Total Oil Dosage on Beach: 1*,508 metric tons
Average Oil Dose on Coast: 51-1* metric tons/kilometer
-------
l8o-
160 -
^ At-W
10
o 100-
3 8o"
ti
e f
60-
1
^ 20-
-p
°3
A ?<
, c
.^ v_
20 ° 3
-•<—
0
F '
4c
G50
L _
H60
i i ~J
70 80
h
9C
^ Sector method using
Allen max. flow.
Letters corresponding to sections
Distance along coast, kilometers
Dosage estimates from aerial photographs
Figure 8
Average core samples
Sector method using Allen
min. flow.
Sector method usiri,^ fl»w
rate of 500 barrels per i«y.
Section dosages on February 8, 1969, computed from core sample data,
and comparison with other estimates (see text for Allen's flow rates).
-------
22
the eleven days from January 28 through February 7, a total of 73986
metric tons would have been released. If that portion of the oil re-
leased into the above sector was ashore by February 8, the amount on
shore would have been U,2l8 metric tons1, or U8 metric tons per kilometer
from El Capitan to Port Hueneme. Using Allen's high estimate of the
initial flow (12,000 barrels of 1,7^0 metric tons per day2), the amount
of oil on shore on February 8 would have been 115 metric tons per kilo-
meter. These values are shown graphically in Figure 8.
Union Oil Company^ and "knowledgeable engineers" (Editor's Note in Jones
et al 1969) estimated the flow in this early phase of the spill to be
500 barrels (72.6 metric tons) per day. Using the sector method des-
cribed above, the amount of oil on shore on February 8 from this rate of
flow would have been U.7 metric tons per kilometer. This is also shown
in Figure 8.
CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION
The simple core method used in this study provides a crude estimate of
the amounts of oil on the intertidal zone, as do planimetric measure-
ments from aerial photographs. More and probably larger cores should
have been taken during this study. Also, the relationship between cores
and aerial photometry could be more precisely established. However, the
fact that the amounts of oil on the shore, as determined from our two
sampling methods, agree to a certain extent with each other and with the
sector estimates using Allen's data suggests that the problem of deter-
mining oil dosages on the shore is not insurmountable.
Aerial photographs clearly show the distribution of oil within kelp beds.
The amount of oil held in the 33 square kilometers of kelp offshore from
the stations studied increases the total dose for the area, since much
of this eventually was stranded and in a sense constitutes a part of the
initial dose figure.
The distribution of the initial oil dose in space and time suggests that
its effect on the marine biota will not be uniform. Organisms in the
lower or middle intertidal regions were intermittantly covered with oil
that in most cases was washed away within a relatively short time (Foster
ejt al, 1969). In contrast high tide regions, and particularly rock sur-
faces that dry during intertidal periods, were heavily covered and the
cover was not rapidly removed by natural means.
1. (7,986 metric tons) (190/360) = U218 metric tons.
2. Allen's figure is 16,000 barrels per day, which included a 25% addi-
tion of evaporation. We have subtracted this 25$ addition, since
most of the evaporation of volatiles takes place before the oil
reaches the coast.
3. Santa Barbara News Press, January 30, 1969.
-------
23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge the generous assistance of A. Dahl, K.
Jensen, R. McDonald, and R. Zingmark. In particular, we are indebted to
D. C. Barilotti for developing the "coffee can" core method.
-------
24
Literature Cited
Blokker, P. C. 1964. Spreading and Evaporation of Petroleus Products on
Water. In Proceedings on 4th International Harbor Conference, Antwerp,
Belgium, p. 911-919.
Dawson, E. Y. 1959- A Primary Report on the Benthic Marine Flora of
Southern California. In Oceanographic Survey of the Continental Shelf
Area of Southern California. Calif. State Wat. Poll. Cont. Bd.,
Sacramento. Pub. No. 20: 169-264.
Foster, M., M. Neushul, and R. Zingmark. 1969- The Santa Barbara Oil
Spill II. Initial Effects on Littoral and Kelp Bed Organisms. (Un-
published)
Jones, L. G., C. T. Mitchell, E. K. Anderson, and W. J. North. 1969.
Just .How Serious Was the Santa Barbara Oil Spill? Ocean Industry k
(6): 53-56.
Mertz, R. C. 1959- Determination of the Quantity of Oily Substances on
Beaches and in Nearshore Waters. Calif. State Wat. Poll. Cont. Bd.,
Sacramento. Pub. No. 21. 45 p.
Smith, E. J. (Ed.) 1968. "Torrey Canyon" Pollution and Marine Life.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 197 p.
-------
25
THE SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL II.
INITIAL EFFECTS ON LITTORAL AND KELP BED ORGANISMS1
p
M. Foster, M. Neushul, and R. Zingmark
Department of Biological Sciences
University of California at Santa Barbara
INTRODUCTION
The massive flow of oil from an offshore drilling accident that occurred
near Santa Barbara, California, on January 28, 1969, is producing a
situation that differs substantially from previously studied .oil-pollu-
tion incidents. Crude oil has continued through July 30, 1969, to flow
from the sea floor even though the initial massive out-pouring has not
continued. As soon as it became evident that the oil flow was likely to
continue, efforts were made to determine the amount and distribution of
oil in the littoral zone (Foster, Charters, and Neushul, 1969). The
effects of this pollution on the living marine resources of the Santa
Barbara area immediately became a subject of great concern. This study
is an appraisal of the short-term biological effects of the initial oil
dose.
The effects of oil pollution on marine life, following tanker wrecks
such as that of the Tampico Maru and the Torrey Canyon have been studied
in detail (North, Neushul, and Clendenning, 1964; 0 Sullivan and Richard-
son, 1967; Bellamy ejt al, 196?; Smith, 1968). A recent literature review,
the Batelle Memorial Insititute Report (1967), summarizes some of the
effects of these and other pollution incidents.
In anticipation of increased domestic and industrial pollution along the
Southern California coast, the late E. Y. Dawson (1959) made careful,
systematic observations and collections of the marine flora at inter-
tidal locations from the Santa Barbara area to San Diego. His descrip-
tions, herbarius specimens, and photographs were made available by the
Hancock Foundation of the University of Southern California and used in
the present study. Some of these intertidal stations were also the sub-
jects of University of California at Santa Barbara (U.C.S.B) algology
1. This study was supported by the Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, Grant No. lU-12-516, and in part by NSF Grant Nos.
GB 5952 and GH U3.
2. Present address: Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North
Carolina.
-------
26
class projects in 1966 and 1967. These intertidal studies provided the
floral baseline for comparisons after the recent oil spill. Additional
information of a more general nature on the flora and fauna of the coast
was also available, Ricketts and Calvin, (1962); Light et al, (I96l).
During the course of this study, additional information was obtained from
persons involved in marein biological studies at the U.C.S.B. Marine
Laboratory and at neighboring colleges and research facilities. The
sizes and condition of the kelp beds along the coast are of concern to
the kelp harvesting and processing industry, whose representatives also
provided valuable information.
A collection of readily available information about the local marine biota
lead us to attempt a direct before and after comparison of marine life and
to relate this to the amount and distribution of the pollutant. In
principle, this simple approach to a complex problem should produce an
intelligent answer. However, the complexities of ecosystem analysis often
obfuscate even the simplest approaches to the most obvious problems.
Nevertheless, this rational was followed in our attempt to provide a first
glimpse of the ecological effects of the man-made oil seep that now exists
off the Santa Barbara coast.
MATERIALS AMD METHODS
Nine of Dawson's stations, distributed from El Capitan State Beach in
Santa Barbara County to Leo Carillo State Beach in Los Angeles County,
and one new station, previously studied by the algology class mentioned
above in 1966, were selected for study (Foster et al, 1969) • Stations C,
D, and G are primarily rocky, while the other 7~~stations are located on
substrates of varying proportions of rock and sand. Stations A and J
were selected a priori as control stations, outside the region of oil
pollution. However, the El Capitan station eventually received a rela-
tively light dose of oil, and the rocks at the Leo Carillo station were
almost completely covered with a thick layer of sand as a result of
unusually severe winter storms. This complicated our attempts to com-
pare the normal flora of polluted and completely unpolluted stations.
Dawson was providing a biological baseline of species number and distri-
bution against which the usual decrease in diversity, resulting from
pollution, could be contrasted. He used a line-transect method and
identified plant species that grew along an outstretched line from high
tide mark to the water's edge, noting all macroscopic plant species and
their relative abundance within a few feet of the line. The algology
students re-ran these same transects using similar methods. While the
information thus obtained gives a gross indication of the species pre-
sent on and close to the transect line, the method is questionable as an
accurate measurement of the total species in the area.
During the present study, teams of observers, using the transect method,
ran a total of 25 low tide transects at the ten stations between Feb-
ruary 11, 1969j and March 3, 1969- Some stations were repeated more than
-------
27
once because of poor tidal conditions during some of the initial surveys.
Species within a few feet of the line were listed using portable tape
recorders. Organisms with oil on them were noted, along with organisms
observed damaged or dead as a result of oil coverage (oil directly on
plants which were white, oiled brown algae with green thalli, etc.).
The relative degree of coverage by the oil on particular transect popula-
tions was also recorded, along with estimates of the percentage of dead
organisms. Stations A, C, D, F, and G were revisited periodically from
April 26 to June k to assess further changes and to look at organisms
noted previously as being oiled.
Since no information on the animal populations at specific stations
before the oil spill was available (aside from the general references
discussed above), comparisons could be made only between oiled and unoiled
animals present after the pollution along the transects. In general,
notation of oil on specific animals, and animals noted dead and oiled
provided the basic "effects" information.
Kelp beds offshore from Station B to H were examined periodically by
boat from March 10 to April 19. Surface fronds were collected and
brought into the laboratory for observation of oil damage and enumera-
tion of organisms normally found in association with the kelp canopy.
Scuba diving observations of the benthic communities under the kelp can-
opy were limited by the high turbidity during the initial months of the
spill. However, much useful and reliable information was ultimately
gathered in this way.
A wealth of observations and photographs were contributed by U.C.S.B.
Marine Laboratory personnel and interested individuals in the Santa
Barbara area. This information was verified by the authors whenever
possible.
RESULTS
Intertidal Plants
The species lists derived from the intertidal transects were first used
to determine if any mass mortality or gross change had occurred. This
determination was complicated by the unusually violent storms and record-
breaking rainfall in the area, which occurred in January and February,
1969, before and during the early phase of the spill.
Table 1 lists the total number of species found at the 10 stations by
Dawson in 1956-1957» the algology students in 1966-1967> and by our in-
vestigations in February and March, 1969- Also shown are the differences
between the total species found by the various investigators.
The differences in species found by Dawson and by our surveys after the
initial oil dose were used to rank the stations in terms of change in
-------
28
Table 1
Total Number of Plant Species Found at Intertidal Survey Stations
in 1956-7, 1966-7 and 1969
a
Dawson
Station Location 1956-7
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
El Capitan State Pk.
Coal Oil Point
Campus Point, UCSB
Santa Barbara Point
Eucalyptus Lane
Loon Point, Montecito
Carpinteria Reef
Hob son Beach
Palm Street, Ventura
Leo Carillo St. Beach
18
181
13
29
22
27
Ik
21
19
18
b
Students
1966-7
20
18
Ik
ko
20
26
29
13
17
Ik
c
After Pol- Differences
lution 1969 (c-a) (b-a)
20
31
12
21
Ik
17
3^
12
9
2
+ 2
+13
- l
- 8
- £
-10
+20
- 9
-10
-16
+ 2
0
+ 1
+11
- 2
- 1
+15
- 8
- 2
- k
1. Value inserted is equal to student's value. No Dawson data for this
station.
-------
29
species since 1956-1957 (Table 2, Rank l). Station J received a rank of
1 since it underwent the greatest negative change, and station G received
a rank of 10, undergoing the greatest positive change. Station C at Coal
Oil Point was not one of the original Dawson stations. For the purposes
of comparison, this station was assigned a total species number of 18 for
1956-19575 corresponding to the findings of the algology students in 1966
-1967.
The stations were also ranked by type of intertidal substrate, the rank
of 1 denoting a station with an almost completely sand substrate (Station
J), and a rank of 10 denoting an almost completely rock substrate (Sta-
tion G). This ranking might indicate regions susceptible to storm
induced sand scouring, and thus could be related to storm damage in
general (Table 2, Rank 2).
Ranks were compared using the methods of Kendall (1955) as adapted by
Ghent (1963) for biological use. Table 2 shows that a comparison of
ranks 1 and 2 gives an S value of 37 and a Tau (a measure of correlatior
between ranks) of +.82; a perfect positive correlation being +1. The P
value is .00058, indicating a significant correlation.
If the stations are ranked according to the oil dosage (Table 2, Rank 3)
as determined for each station on February 8, 1969 (Foster et^ al 1969)
amd then compared with the change in flora ranking, Tau equals +.2 and P
equals .2358; indicating a low correlation with little significance.
As an indication of normal changes over long periods, the algology stu-
dent-Dawson floral changes were ranked (Table 2, Rank U) and compared
with the substrate ranking. In this comparison Tau equals +.53 and the
P value is .0197S indicating the overall change over approximately ten
years is also correlated with substrate, the correlation being signifi-
cant at the 5$ level.
The initial heavy dose of oil had deleterious effects on many of the
algae and on the surf grass. Table 3 summarizes the oil coverage and
mortality observed at the various stations.
Phyllospadix torreyi, a common surf grass, was heavily coated with oil
in the intertidal, especially at stations receiving the largest initial
dosages. This plant is still being affected at those stations that con-
tinue to be polluted from the continuing spill and from oil redistribu-
tion when the high intertidal rocks are cleaned. The common method of
cleaning the upper rocks with hot water washes the oil back into the
lower intertidal, where it can recontaminate the surf grass.
ZoBell (1963) summarizes much of what is known about the effects of oil
on intertidal organisms and specifically points out the susceptability
of marine grasses to oil pollution. The surf grass in the Santa Barbara
area readily takes up and holds oil, the blades sticking together in
dense black clumps. Figure 1 illustrates this situation at Station D
on February 13, 1969. The exposed portions of oiled plants eventually
turn brown and gradually disintegrate. Moribund blades are shown in
-------
30
Table 2
Rankings and Correlation Tests
Rank 1: Species Changes Between Dawson and After Initial Pollution
Surveys. (Most Negative Change = 1, Most Positive = 10)
Station: J
H E
B G
Rank: 1 2^ 2j ^ 5i 5i 7 8 9 10
Rank 2: Substrate Type (Most Sand = 1, Most Rock = 10)
Station: JIFEHADCBG
Rank: 123^56789 10
Rank 3: Oil Dosage on February 8, 1969 (Most Oil = 1, Least Oil = 10)
Station: DFIECGHABJ
Rank: 123^56789 10
Rank k: Species Changes Between Dawson and Student Surveys
(Most Negative Change = 1, Most Positive = 10)
Station: HJEIFBCADG
Rank: 1 2 3| 3? 5 6 7 8 9 10
Rank Comparisons
1. Rank 2 with Rank 1
S = 37, Tau = +.82
Var (S) = 1
P = .00058
3- Rank 2 with Rank k
S = 2k
Var (S) =
P = .0197
2. Rank 3 with Rank 1
S = 9, Tau = +.2
Var (S) "= 123
P = .2358
-------
Table 3
Plants Observed Oil Covered and/or Dead Along Station Transects
Plant
Phyllospadix
torreyi
Enteromorpha
compressa
Chaetomorpha
aerea
Ulva
californiea
Ralfsia sp.
Egregia
laevigata
Porphyra sp.
Endocladla
muricata
Dates and Stations
Plants Observed
Covered
2/11,2/13/3/1 (D)
3/13,3/16 (E)
2/13, 3 A, 3/16 (F)
2/12,3/15 (G)
3/17 (D
2/8 (B)
2/12,3/15 (C)
2/10 (D)
2/11 (G)
2/12 (H)
3/1 (E)
2/12 (H)
2/10,2/11,2/13 (D)
2/10,2/13,6A (D)
5/5 (F)
3/15, 5A (G)
3/1,3/13 (A)
2/8,3/1^ (B)
3/1 (A)
Amount of Oil
on Transect
Populationl
,v v ,v
A A A
y y y
A A A
•X-**
y v y
A A AT
y y y
•X-
•X-*
•X-*
-)Ht
•X-X-
•X-
•X-
•JHf
y y y
w n /v
**
•X-K-
•*
•x-x-
-K-
Dates and
Stations
Plants Ob-
served Dead
3/l,6/U (D)
5/5 (F)
3/l5,5A (G)
k/26 (A)
3/15 (C)
2/11 (G)
k/26 (A)
V26 (A)
3/iU (B)
5 A (G)
Population Remarks
Mortality
Along
Transect^
50-60% Percent of exposed
blades damaged.
90-100f0
30-50%
1-5% Thalli white.
10-20%
20%
1-5% Thalli white.
Oiled stipes with
some blades green
and some blades gone
1-5% Thalli white.
1-5%
20%
CO
-------
CO
Table 3, Continued
Plants Observed Oil Covered and/or Dead Along Station Transects
Plant
Hildenbrandia
sp_.
Rhodoglossum
affine
Gigartina
leptorynchos
Gigartina
canaliculata
Chondria
nidifica
Dates and Stations Amount of Oil
Plants Observed on Transect
Covered Population^
2/13 (D) *
2/13 (D) *
3A,5/5 (F) **
2/12 (G) *
3/U.5/5 (F)
3/15 (G) **
Dates and Population Remarks
Stations Mortality
Plants Ob- Along
served Dead Transect^
U/26 (A) 1-2*
1. Amount of oil on transect population represents
average over dates given in second column.
2. Percents represent mortality along transect as
estimated by the field investigator.
Legend: * = light oil coverage
** = moderate oil coverage
•*** = heavy oil coverage
-------
33
Figure 2. When this photograph was taken, all of the nearby algae were
clean, but the grass still held large quantities of oil. As Table 3
shows, up to 100$ of the exposed blades were killed at some stations.
Plants growing in the extreme low intertidal and .subtidal were largely
undamaged, no doubt protected from direct contact with the oil by the
water covering them. The California Department of Fish and Game
(C. Turner, personal communication) reported a similar contamination of
the surf grass on Anacapa Island. Here, too, subtidal plants were un-
damaged, polluted blades of intertidal plants turned brown, and plants
in unpolluted areas remained green in both the inter- and subtidal
regions.
The basal rhizomes of P. torreyi are frequently covered by sand and per-
haps vegetative growth will ultimately restore the populations to their
initial condition. The effects of the continuing pollution on long-
term survival cannot be assessed at present. Damage to flowers and seeds
may produce long-term changes. In addition, the extensive plant and
animal community associated with the intertidal surf grass (Ricketts and
Calvin, 1962) was certainly modified in polluted areas, and may take a
considerable time to recover.
The green algae Enteromorpha compressa, Chaetomorpha aerea, and Ulva
californica, found in the upper mid and high intertidal, were only slight-
ly damaged by the oil pollution except in regions that were completely
coated and/or hot-water cleaned. In contrast with P. torreyi, the oil
did not stick to these plants in large quantities, and was repeatedly
wahsed off and reapplied with successive tides. Plants that were dam-
aged were generally in the high intertidal, where the oil could remain
on the thalli and dry during an average tidal cycle.
When the initial dose contaminated the coast, Ulva californica was sparse.
Figure 3 shows the Ulva habitat at Station F on March k, 1969. Oil cov-
erage was extensive and heavy, and examination of the substrate showed
only a few scattered plants. After this large dosage, weathering, wave
and sand abrasion, and probably bio-degradation (ZoBell, 1963) removed
most of the oil from this mid intertidal area. By early May, there was
a dense growth of new Ulva californica on these cleaned areas and in
regions where the rocks showed only traces of oil. Therefore, the pollu-
tion to date has had little effect on the mid intertidal Ulva growth.
Enteromo^-pha compressa replaces Ulva in the high intertidal and it was
also relatively sparse at the time of the initial dose. However, due to
its higher position relative to the tides, it was exposed to direct
oiling for longer periods of time and damage was more severe. Some of
the oiled high intertidal plants are shown in Figure k. In thinly oiled
areas the oil dried on the plants or at their bases, and the plants turned
white. In more thickly oiled regions, the oil became less viscous when
warmed by the sun and ran down over new areas, often covering previously
unpolluted plants. Moreover, oil that remains in the high intertidal
reduces the effective area for future attachment and thus, indirectly,
reduces population size. Figure 5 shows this phenomena at Station D.
New Entermorpha is found on unoiled rock surfaces only.
-------
34
Figure 1
Oiled Surf Grass at Station D, February 13, 19&9- Note workmen raking
oiled straw on beach.
Figure 2
Clump of Oiled and Heavily Damaged Surf Grass at Station F, May 55 19&9-
6 inch ruler for scale.
Figure 3
Ulva Habitat at Jtation F, March h, 1969.
Figure k
Oiled Enteromorpha at Station C, March 15? 1969- Scale in centimeters.
-------
35
The majority of the common brown algae found in the Santa Barbara area
occur in the lower intertidal and subtidal and remained protected free.
much of the initial large oil dose. Egregia laevigata, found in the
extreme low intertidal and shallow subtidal, is entirely exposed at some
stations during extreme low tides, and its surface fronds received heavy
doses of oil. However, like the green algae, the oil did not stick
readily to the plant surfaces. At some stations oil was noted on plants
near the holdfast, and marginal blades in these areas were frequently
green or completely gone, Figure 6. The distal ends of the egregia
plants appeared undamaged and showed continued growth during successive
surveys.
The red algae, in contrast to the brown and green algae, appeared to
hold the crude oil over long periods of time. Porphyra sp. was found
to retain oil and become brittle when contaminated by crude oil from the
Torrey Canyon (Smith, 1968), and this was also observed during the Santa
Barbara spill. Fortunately, the heaviest pollution occurred before the
usual spring bloom of Porphyra, and mortality was low except at Station
G. There, a large population was exposed on top of an extensive muscle
bed, and many plants were oiled and white. The other red algae, occur-
ring primarily in the mid and low intertidal, retained oil for long
periods of time but appeared to be relatively undamaged.
IETERTIDAL ANIMALS
A summary of oiled and dead animals observed in connection with the oil
pollution is given in Table k.
The common intertidal anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, was oiled at
Stations G and H, the oil sticking primarily to pieces of shell and
debris which normally adhere to the body wall. Even with heavy oil
doses, no dead animals have been observed. The high resistance of this
organism to oil pollution has been previously noted by North et al
and Smith (1968).
Damage to the barnacle Chthamalus i'issus was extensive. Approximately
90$ of the transect population was killed at Station D, the initially
most heavily oiled station. Similar percent mortalities were recorded
by John Cubit (personal communication), who compared the relative numbers
of alive and dead barnacles on oiled and unoiled populations in the
vicinity of Station D. The animals were frequently observed sweeping
the oil with their cirri, which no doubt contributed to their high mor-
tality. In high intertidal areas, much of the damage was done as a
result of the oil drying on and apparently physically smothering the
animals. If the covering of oil was thin, the barnacles often cleared
an opening through it and showed no immediately obvious ill effects. If
the oil was too thick for clearing, death almost always ensued. Figure
7 shows cleared and uncleared oil patches on a. group of barnacles at
Station C. Barnacle mortality extended to the mid intertidal as a result
-------
Table h
Animals Observed as Oil Covered and/or Dead
CO
Oi
Animal
Anthopleura
elegantissima
Chthamalus fissus
Belanus glandula
Mitella polymerus
Dates and Stations
Animals Observed
Covered
2/12,3/15 (G)
2/12 (H)
3/lU (B)
2/12,3/15 (C)
2/11 (D)
3/1 (E)
2/13 (F)
3/17 (I)
3/15 (C)
2/12,3/15 (C)
3/1, 5A (G)
Amount of Oil
on Transect
Population^
*-*-*
*-*
*
#
WWW
XH^R
\f U U
n n W
w y w
nun
*
**
**
*•*
Dates and Stations
Animals Observed
Dead
U/26 (A)
2/12, 3/15, U/28 (C)
U/26 (D)
5/5 (F)
If/28 (C)
3/1,5/U (G)
Population
Mortality
Along
Transects
1%
205t
80-90%
10$
1-3*
1-5*
Remarks
Oil on body
debris .
Pachyerapsus
crassipes
Pagurus somuelis
Orchestoidea sp.
Ifytilus spp.
3/U (F)
3/15 (C)
2/12,5A (G)
2/12 (H)
**-*
*
2/11 (D)
2/8 (D)
U/26 (A)
3/15,U/28 (C)
1 individual
Oil on hermit
crab shells.
1 individual
1*
1*
Continued
-------
Table U, Continued
Animals Observed as Oil Covered and/or Dead
Animals
Acmea spp.
>
Pisaster
ochraceous
Strongylocentrotus
purpuratus
Dates and Stations
Animals Observed
Covered
U/26 (A)
U/28 (C)
2/11, k/26 (D)
3/1 (H)
Amount of Oil
on Transect
Population!
*
r. X X
y y y
A K K
#
Dates and Stations
Animals Observed
Dead
2/10 (D)
2/10 (D)
Population
Mortality
Along
Transect 1
1 individual
1 individual
Remarks
Oil on shells
and feet.
1. Amount of oil on transect population represents
average over dates station was visited, as does
percent mortality.
2. Percents represent mortality along transect as
estimated by field investigator.
Legend: * = light oil coverage
** = moderate oil coverage
*** = heavy oil coverage.
CO
-------
38
of the oil clinging to the rough surface of barnacle populations. The
oil stays on these populations and is highly resistant to natural clean-
ing. Figure 8, taken at Station F on May 5, 19&9, illustrates a heavily
oiled barnacle population in the mid intertidal. Surrounding rocks
which received heavy doses of oil were almost completely cleaned by
natural action, while the oil on the barnacles persists.
The gooseneck barnacle, Mitella polymerus, occurs at Stations A, B, C,
and G on exposed rocky outcrops. Mid intertidal individuals received
moderate doses of oil at Stations C and G, and oil tended to stick to
their plates. As was the case with Chthamalus fissus, gooseneck barna-
cles were also killed, when the oil became thick enough to physically
smother them. All dead individuals had a very heavy coating of oil
over them, and in many instances, their cirri were encased in dried oil.
Mortality was probably not as high as that for £. fissus because Mitella
occurs lower in the intertidal in areas generally exposed to surf, which
rapidly cleans off the oil before it has a chance to dry.
Only one individual of the genus Orchestoidea, the common sand amphipod,
was observed oiled and dead. Although these organisms occur in large
numbers in the sandy intertidal, they apparently remained beneath the
surface of the sand during the initial oil dosage. Another sand dweller,
the blood worm Thoracophelia mucronata, has been observed in its usual
abundance since the initial pollution.
Mytilus spp. (mussels) commonly occur in association with Mitella poly-
merus and were similarly oiled. Individuals were assumed dead due to oil
when they were gaping open, would not close upon stimulation, and con-
tained heavy coatings of oil. In general, however, mussels suffered
little damage.
Various chitons and limpets (Acmea spp.) were frequently seen with heav-
ily oiled shells, but no dead individuals were noted. When pried off
the substrate, they exhibited oiled feet which indicated they were
moving and perhaps even grazing over the oil. Similar resistance and
feeding behavior is noted by Smith (1968).
As Table h shows, the observed damage to echinoderms was slight. More-
over, the animals observed dead and oiled could have died naturally
and then been oiled. Oil did not seem to stick readily to the starfish
or the urchins, and their position in the lower intertidal apparently
protected them from prolonged exposure.
KELP BEDS
Offshore kelp beds, having a surface canopy consisting almost entirely
of Macrocystis angustifolia, received the first dose of incoming oil.
The floating fronds held large quantities of oil, especially during low
tides. From the beach, the normal brown color of the beds was changed
-------
39
to black. With changing winds, currents, and tides most of the oil held
by the kelp was eventually released, and much of it moved shoreward to
further pollute the coast. As was the case with most of the mid and low
intertidal green and brown algae, the oil that came in contact with the
kelp, did not stick to healthy fronds, perhaps due to the natural cover-
ing of mucus on blades and stipes. Oil was occasionally seen adhering
to patches of damaged tissue.
Boat surveys conducted offshore showed no abnormal decay or damage after
the initial oil dose. Animals in a few collections from the kelp canopy
in both heavily and lightly polluted beds were similar in kind and abun-
dance, and were representative of the normal kelp canopy community as
described by Limbaugh (1955).
Diving surveys off Station D showed no oil beneath the kelp canopy.
Over 200 dives by various persons were made in the Santa Barbara area
kelp beds during and after the initial pollution under the supervision
of D. Duckett, the U.C.S.B. campus diving officer. None of the divers
reported oil on the bottom or any obvious changes in the subtidal en-
vironment (D. Duckett, personal communication). Divers have noted oil
on the bottom in Santa Barbara harbor and immediately outside the harbor,
but this is probably a result of the use of oil sinking agents in the
area.
CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
The rank correlations indicate that major floral changes correlate well
with substrate type. Gross species change are therefore probably a
result of the interaction of substrate with the record winter storms
which occurred in the area previous to and during the initial pollution.
Although highly significant damage occurred to the Riyllospadrx: torreyi
and Chthamalus fissus populations in polluted areas, widespread damage to
other intertidal organisms during the early stages of the oil pollution
was not immediately obvious. Jones et^ aJL (19&9) i-n a popular article,
concludes that there was no extensive ecological damage. This conclu-
sion seems overoptimistic. Jones et_ al^ did not report changes in surf
grass and barnacle populations observed during this study.
It seems clear that overall damage was definitely related to initial dose,
especially in the case of surf grass and barnacles.
Many factors have influenced the survival of intertidal organisms. In
the areas studied, these include intertidal substrate, previously existing
biota, positions of the organisms in the intertidal zone, tidal levels at
the time of the pollution, extent of offshore kelp beds, length of time
the oil stays at sea, and methods of clean-up.
The clean-up methods being used on sandy beaches (absorption of the oil
with straw and mechanical removal of the oiled straw and sand) seen to
-------
40
have little obvious effect on the existing sand biota. However, cleaning
of the rocky high intertidal with hot -water has removed an extensive
community of limpets, snails, crabs, and algae along with the dried oil.
Not only are the organisms damaged, but the oil removed runs down to re-
pollute lower intertidal areas, Figure 9.
The effects of chronic long-term oil pollution on rocky intertidal regions
and offshore kelp can be estimated by examining the effects of the na-
tural oil seeps at Coal Oil Point in Goleta. There seems to be no obvious
lack of kelp in the vicinity of the seeps. The beds are not as thick as
others along the coast, but this may well be due to substrate availability
and grazing pressure rather than oil. The oil in some cases comes out of
small fissures on the bottom adjacent to attached plants.
However, the effect of regular and continued doses of oil on the inter-
tidal regions at Campus Point, which is "downstream" from the Coal Oil
seeps, is immediately obvious even to the most casual observer (Figure
10). Of the total rock surface on the point, approximately 60$ of the
tops of rocks are covered with tar along with 30 to kCffo of the sides.
In some areas, the layer of tar is over 6 centimeters deep. Areas not
covered are generally in the mid to 'low intertidal region.
The new man-made seep around Platform A is now adding to the amounts of
oil coming from natural seeps. If the new seep continues to flow, it is
likely that tar build-up will occur in previously unaffected areas.
Macroscopic plants and animals have not been observed to attach and grow
on the tar substrate. Therefore, it appears that these seeps, and other
that may result from further drilling activity, may drastically reduce
the availability of intertidal surfaces that would otherwise be occupied
by intertidal marine organisms.
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that this preliminary study
records only some of the more obvious and immediate effects of the oil
pollution. Man-made pollution has obviously influenced the complex
communities of marine plants and animals in the study area. There is
clear indication that a subtle and gradual erosion of this natural
resource has begun. W. J. North (19&M has documented the gradual dis-
appearance of kelp forests along the Palos Verdes and Point Loma coasts
in Southern California. The reduction in kelp abundance started in the
1920's and was complete by the early 1960's. This gradual but nonethe-
less complete destruction of a major coastal marine community is prob-
ably being duplicated elsewhere along the Southern California coast at
the present time. Whether repeated or continuing oil pollution con-
tributes to long-term ecological degradation in the Santa Barbara region
remains to be -een.
-------
_
Bfcu-^J ->--^ ^ xi»v»«t''»*vVA ->'% ^
^^I^^^Saffij
u '•>"•¥> J ^SjfcS! *R^ <£&im
1^^^^^^^
^e%',^^«N^pt •
41
_ . _
. - ^ ••_•,.-•, . "•:
• •-'-;-. L.rl>VTr^-J
Figure 5
Enteromorpha Growing on Oil-free Areas at Station D, April 26, iv69. Scale in meters,
Figure 6
Egregia Collected at Station G on May 5, 1969. Investigator is pointing at oil
covered stipes, where marginal blades are missing.
Figure 7
Oiled Chthamalus at Station C, April 28, 1969. Some individuals have cleared an
opening in the oil (A), while others have no (B).
Figure 8
Heavily Oiled Barnacles at Station F on May 5, 1969. Note clean surrounding rocks.
Figure 9
Cleaning of High Intertidal Rocks with Hot Water in the Vicinity of Station F,
May 5, 1969. The oil removed runs down the beach (A).
Figure 10
Rock Surfaces at Station C. The large cork borer in the foreground (arrow"* is
buried over 4 cm. into the old tar.
-------
42
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to D. C. Barilotti, A. Dahl, K. Jensen, and
R. MacDonald for their generous help with the intertidal surveys, and
to other members of the U.C.S.B. Marine Laboratory staff who contributed
valuable advice and information.
-------
43
Literature Cited
Batelle Memorial Institute. 196?. Oil Spillage Study Literature Search
and Critical Evaluation for Selection of Promising Techniques to Con-
trol and Prevent Damage. Tp_ Dept. of Trans., U.S. Coast Guard,
Washington, D. C. (Mimeographed Report).
Bellamy, D. J., P. H. Clarke, D. M. John, D. Jones, A. Whittick, and T.
Darke. 1967. Effects of Pollution from the "Torrey Canyon" on
Littoral and Sublittoral Ecosystems. Nature 216: 1170-1173.
Dawson, E. Y. 1959- A Primary Report on the Benthic Marine Flora of
Southern California. In Oceanographic Survey of the Continental Shelf
Area of Southern California. Calif. State Wat. Poll. Cont. Bd., Sac-
ramento. Pub. No. 20: 169-26U.
Foster, M., A. C. Charters, and M. Neushul. 1969. The Santa Barbara
Oil Spill I. Initial Quantities and Distribution of Pollutant Crude
Oil. (Unpublished)
Ghent, A. W. 1963. Kendall's "Tau" Coefficient as an Index of Similar-
ity in Comparisons of Plant or Animal Communities. Can. Entomol.
95: 568-575-
Jones, L. G., C. T. Mitchell, E. K. Anderson, and W. J. North. 1969.
Just How Serious Was the Santa Barbara Oil Spill? Ocean Industry
U: 53-56.
Kendall, M. G. 1955- Rank Correlation Methods. Charles Griffin and Co.,
Ltd., London. vii= 196p.
Light, S. F. 1961. Intertidal Invertebrates of the Central California
Coast. S. F. Light's "Laboratory and Field Text in Invertebrate
Zoology," revised by R. I. Smith, F. A. Pitelka, D. P. Abbott, and
F. M. Weesner, with others. Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley, xiv +
kh6 p.
Limbaugh, C. 1955- Fish Life in the Kelp Beds and the Effect of Kelp
Harvesting. Univ. Calif. Inst. Mar. Res. IMR Ref. 55-9- (Mimeo-
graphed Report)
North, W. J. 196!)-. An Investigation of the Effects of Discharged
Wastes on Kelp. Calif. State Wat. Qual. Cont. Bd., Sacramento.
Pub. No. 26. 12k p.
North, W. J., M. Neushul, and K. A. Clendenning. 1964. Successive
Biological Changes Observed in a Marine Cove Exposed to a Large
Spillage of Mineral Oil. In Proc. Symp. Poll. Mar. Microorg. Prod.
Petrol., Monaco, p. 335-35^
0'Sullivan, A. J., and A. J. Richardson. 1967. The Effects of the Oil
on Intertidal Marine Life. J. Devon Trust Nature Conserv., Ltd.
Supplement: Conserv. and the "Torrey Canyon." (July) p.3^-38.
Ricketts, E. F., and J. Calvin. 1962. Between Pacific Tides. 3rd. ed...
revised by J. W. Hedgpeth. Stanford Univ. Press, xii + 5l6 p.
-------
44
Literature Cited (Cont.)
Smith, E. J. (Ed.) 1968. "Torrey Canyon" Pollution and Marine Life.
Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. 197 p.
ZoBell, C. E. 1963. The Occurrence, Effects, and Fate of Oil Polluting
the Sea. Intern. J. Air Wat. Poll. 7: 173-197-
-------
45
GENERAL DISCUSSION
The amount of oil coming from the Coal Oil point natural seeps has been
estimated by Mertz (1959) and is discussed in Part II of this report.
Calculations based on Mertz's estimate of the amount of oil on the beach
would indicate that no more than 100 gallons (35kg) per day are seeping
out of the sea floor in this area. Recent spills discussed in the intro-
duction of this report have contributed additional pollutant material
along the coast. Now, the spill from Platform A is adding more crude oil
to the marine environment. Allen (1969) estimated that the man-made
Santa Barbara oil seep was still producing about 8,000 gallons (27,600 kg)
per day in early May. Present estimates1 range from less than 100 gal-
lons (35kg) per day to from 8Uo to 1,260 gallons (2,900 to U,300 kg)
per day. Although the recent oil spill is highly significant in terms
of the total oil pollution along the Southern California coast, it is
obvious that oil pollution in the area did not begin with the blow-out
on Platform A; chronic pollution has affected certain parts of the coast
and selected offshore areas for many years.
The establishment of biological study sites by the California Water Pol-
lution Control Board in the mid 1950's provided invaluable data against
which the immediate effects of this pollution could be determined (Daw-
son, 1959). The usefulness of these studies is illustrated by Figures
1 and 2. Figure 1 was taken by Dawson along the transect at Station D.
Figure 2 was taken the same place in February, 1969. Dawson's observa-
tions in the Santa Barbara area were re-studied and checked by student
observers in 1966-1967. These student studies indicated that there had
beer no gross changes in the marine flora along the Santa Barbara and
Ventura coasts for 10 years. This type of information, as brief and
imperfect as it is, and based on only two surveys, is still the best that
is available.
Dawson*s collection of voucher specimens is on file at the Hancock Founda-
tion Herbarium at the University of Southern California. Information
obtained by examining these collections includes the size and reproduc-
tive condition of the plants and their vertical distribution in the
intertidal zone. By reducing this information into a form that can be
handled by a computer, it is possible to re-assemble the individual
-floras that Dawson studied and to obtain some idea of the reproductive
condition and vigor of the species he collected at each station. In
this way, it is possible to rapidly assess the condition of a given
intertidal region, as it relates to Dawson's findings. For example, the
presence or absence of sea grasses can be immediately checked, and their
survival in the future can be followed. The authors have already re-
duced much of Dawson's original information to a computer format, and
this has yielded much valuable information, especially on the probable
reproductive condition of plants at the time of the initial oil dose.
1. Estimates from various sources were published in the Santa Barbara
News Press, August 5, 1969.
-------
46
Figure 1
Picture of Dawson's Transect at Station D, 1956.
A: Algae on rocks.
Figure 2
Picture of Dawson's Transect at Station D, 1969.
A: Oil on rocks.
-------
47
However, the number of plants so far reduced is small (less than 1,000),
and much more information is needed before a reasonably complete picture
of the flora can be developed. Additional information on the abudance
of each species at each station is also needed. Finally, similar in-
formation for the animal species would have been extremely useful in
investigating the effects of the Platform A spill.
The intertidal and immediate shallow subtidal regions of our coasts are
small in area, yet they support a diverse and vulnerable population of
plants and animals. The unique and beautiful giant-kelp forests that
occur along the Southern California coast covered a mere 100 square
miles when originally surveyed. This included the kelp forests on the
Channel Islands as well as those on the mainland. As indicated in the
present study, the oil on these now much reduced beds has not produced
any immediately observable damage. There has been no obvious decrease
in the amount of kelp nor any obvious damage to the plants themselves.
But this does not imply that we can continue to pollute the environ-
ment where these organisms live, and expect to see them survive in their
present state.
W. J. North and his associates (196U) have documented the gradual ero-
sion of the kelp beds in Southern California, especially those near Palos
Verdes and Point Loma. The observation of a similar erosion of inter-
tidal organisms led Dawson (1959) to establish his intertidal stations
along the coast. The gradual loss of a marine resource due to pollution
is not always detectable after a short-term study such as that reported
here. Nevertheless, the gradual erosion over a period of many years can
destroy organisms just as completely as can a single, massive pollution
incident. We definitely need more effective environmental monitoring
in order to detect situations where our physical and biological resources
are being taken from us; monitoring which continues not Just during
major environmental crisis, but for years.
It seems likely that there will be continued flow of oil from the man-
made seep off the Santa Barbara coast. From our preliminary observations,
the main effect of these seeps will be to reduce the availability of
intertidal surfaces for the attachment and growth of marine organisms.
The effects may also be long-term, influencing the growth and reproduc-
tion of various marine organisms, especially the surf grass and its
associated flora and fauna in the intertidal. The examples of the loss
of marine resources along the Palos Verdes and Point Loma peninsulas
over a UO year period are used to emphasize the fact that conclusions
obtained a few months after a pollution incident of this sort should not
be held as proof that there will not be long-term effects and gradual
erosion of natural resources which we have seen in other locations. The
offshore resources of Southern California have been shown to be extremely
frail and vulnerable. Every effort should be made to apply modern
ecological technology to the monitoring and protection of these resour-
ces as a necessary investment in our environment.
-------
48
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The timely assistance of the Federal Water Pollution Control Admin-
istration at a very early stage in this project was essential to
its completion. In particular, we would like to thank Mr. Charles
Seely, who personnally assisted with obtaining equipment and analy-
zing core samples.
-------
49
LITERATURE CITED
Allen, A. A. 1969. Santa Barbara Oil Spill. Statement presented to U.
S. Senate Interior Committee Subcommittee on Minerals, Materials, and
Fuels (May 20).
Dawson, E. Y. 1959- A Primary Report on the Benthic Marine Flora of
Southern California. In Oceanographic Survey of the Continental Shelf
Area of Southern California. Calif. State Wat. Poll. Cont. Bd.,
Sacramento. Pub. No. 20: l69-2"6U.
Mertz, R. C. 1959- Determination of the Quantity of Oily Substances on
Beaches and in Nearshore Waters. Calif. State Wat. Poll. Cont. Bd.,
Sacramento. Pub. No. 21. U5 p.
JJorth, W. J. 196U. An Investigation of the Effects of Discharged
Wastes on Kelp. Calif. State Wat. Qual. Cont. Bd., Sacramento. Pub.
No. 26. 12U p.
Smith, E. J. (Ed.) 1968. "Torrey Canyon" Polution and Marine Life.
Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. 197p-
------- |