35 
In final summary then, the data indicate that an ample 
margin of safety appears to exist for complying with State 
Standards on an overall basis. They do not, however, rule out 
the possibility of restricted periods of non-compliance. 
COLIFORMS IN THE BOTTOM SEDIMENTS 
Introduction 
Previous to the May 1 report, two series of bottom samples 
were collected in Santa Monica Bay and analyzed for their coli- 
form population. Less intensive sampling was also conducted 
in the vicinity of the Whites Point owtfall and around the Orange 
County outfall. In all three areas, coliforms were found for 
considerable distances around the outfalls. The numbers obser-= 
ved were variable and samples taken at approximately the same 
location near the Orange County outfall gave widely different 
coliform counts. It was believed that part of the variation 
was due to difficulties in the sampling technique, in particular 
the difficulty of capturing all of the uppermost sediment layer 
where the coliforms should be most abundant, using either the 
snappers or the coring instrument (May 1 report, p. 53-57). 
As a consequence, a new Sampling apparatus was developed and 
the coliform populations in the sediments were reinvestigated. 
Sampling Methods 
Samples were collected by two procedures, either employing 
divers or else using a specially-designed bottom sampling 
apparatus. The divers were used for the inshore samples that 
