Table 3. n-Alkanes and isoprenoids in Trichodesmium Sp. (Percent 

 Composition) 



detectable (Goldberg et al., 1978). Petroleum and pyrolytic sources must both be 

 considered to explain the variety of compounds reported. Based on these data and 

 other data reported at the National Academy of Science (NAS) workshop, bivalves 

 are promising indicators of chemical pollution. (See Table 4.) 



During the decade of the seventies, a number of planning and design meetings 

 were held to consider how best to study the petroleum pollution problem. Some of 

 these were strongly directed at sampling and ecological problems (Goldberg, 1972). 

 Some were directed at specific locations or areas (MacLeod et al., 1976), and some 

 were forerunners of massive federal programs (Parker, 1974). Analytical methods, 

 intercalibration needs, and data interpretation have been considered by individual 

 authors (Farrington et al., 1974). and groups (National Academy of Science, 1980). 

 The approaches used in specific laboratories have been described (Bentz, 1976). The 

 proceedings of the oil spill conferences sponsored by the American Petroleum Insti- 

 tute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard consti- 

 tute a useful collection of current research in oil pollution. 



Because the pace of investigation has been intense and because the chronic and 

 spill-related inputs of petroleum have been so frequent and often dramatic, a great 

 deal has been learned about the impact of petroleum on the coastal environment 

 during the decade: 



109 



