Abstract
ABSTRACT Studies of the intertidal sandy beach community in the region of natural oil seepage at Coal Oil Point commenced in 1969. This research continued as part of a long term study of natural variation in sandy beach communities as well as an investigation of the impacts on the biota of intermittent exposure to natural oil seepage. Community data were related to both localized and widespread environmental changes. Changes in the overall macrofaunal community correlate with localized sand movement in the intertidal area. Changes in species composition were related to the widespread oceanographic changes (e.g., water temperature) that occurred in the Southern California Bight during the past decade. A positive correlation between number of specimens and weight of tar on the beach is attributed to seasonal recruitment patterns rather than the presence of petroleum. Therefore the periodic stranding of petroleum is not the dominant abiotic factor influencing this community as a whole.
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