The initial flow of oil that began on January 28, 1969, from an offshore oil platform deposited an estimated 4,500 metric tons of pollutant oil on nearly 90 kilometers of California coast by February 8, 1969. Winds, wave action, tides, and substrate determined the pattern of the oil distribution in the intertidal zone. Heavy biological damage occurred in intertidal 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. This report consists of the introductory material, two short papers, and general discussions. A treatment of aspects of the Santa Barbara pollution problem that relates the authors observations to those of others, and considers the broader implications of marine pollution in general, has been incorporated in the discussion section. (Author)