This pioneering study of the undersea world off the coast of Southern California examines the role of petroleum in shaping the ocean's ecology. Emery's detailed exploration of this fascinating habitat provides readers with insights into the complex relationships between marine life and the energy industry. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in marine biology, oceanography, or the contemporary debates surrounding offshore drilling. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.