ocean currents, temperatures, and certain other characteristics 

 of the bay would be required. Shortly thereafter a study of 

 the types and distribution of bottom-dwelling animals was 

 included and finally, in October of 1955, the contract was 

 further extended to include an investigation of the rate of 

 disappearance of coliform bacteria in the sea from unchlori- 

 nated primary-treated effluent. 



It has been the contractual responsibility of the University 

 of Southern California, after a period of one year's research in 

 the bay, to report to Hyperion Engineers, Inc. the scientific 

 results on the following specific topics: 



1. The detailed bottom topography and sedimentary 

 characteristics of the sea floor. 



2. The biology of bottom-dwelling animals. 



3. The distribution and rate of disappearance of 

 coliform bacteria. 



4. The temperature, salinity, turbidity, and other 

 properties of the water within the bay. 



5. The directions and velocities of ocean currents. 

 The submarine topography and sediments, the biology of 



bottom organisms, and the bacterial studies are contained in 

 separate sections of this report. 



In addition to those items, a revieiv of the climate, sea 

 and swell, and other meteorological conditions have been 

 included. Because both the data and the descriptive material 

 for this review were readily available, such a review could be 

 made without interfering with major research commitments. 



Santa Monica Bay, California, is a crescent-shaped inden- 

 tation of the southern California coast, lying due west of the 



