"SUMMARY A three phase program was designed and.completed to evaluate the technique of using sprayable coatings to protect shorelines against oil spills. These phases can be outlined as follows: I. Literature Review (published technical literature and commercial supplier data) II. Screening of Candidates (resin@ solution@ and film properties--experimental determination) III. Simulated Testing (application to simulated beach and contacting with sea water and three forms of crude oil) As a result of Phase I@ eighteen (18) systems (single or multiple applications) were chosen for screening. These materials included a wide range of products (nine different types) and manufacturers (seven total). In Phase II@ the chosen polymeric resins were investigated in the laboratory with respect to water solubility@ viscosity of solution@ effect of concentration@ film formation by dipping@ sprayability@ film stability@ oil resistance@ film solubility@ adhesion@ drying time@ toughness@ sand sealing ability@ and elasticity. These determinations were made in part by spraying the solutions onto wet sand beds in pie pans and by spraying a sandy loam hillside. Data from this phase showed that two film formers@ Borden's Polyco 694 and 2445@ and two auxiliary stabilizers@ agar and Dupont Elvanol@ held some promise. For Phase III@ simulated beaches were developed in 30"" X 30"" child's wading pools (three units) mounted on a rocking platform. A test matrix of the candidate materials was set up and completed by applying each to a wet sand-rock-wood beach@ drying@ adding synthetic sea water@ adding crude oil@ and observing. The crude oils used were Louisiana Crude (light)@ weathered Louisiana Crude (""chocolate mousse"")@ and Bunker C. The result of Phase III was that protection is provided by one or two coats of Borden's Polyco 694@ the number of coats being dependent on desired appearance@ toughness@ and film duration. The price of this material is 26c/lb.@ (in carload lots) and in the thickness used amounts to $1@250 for a mile strip which is ten feet wide. It should be noted that several questions remain unanswered. These involve such factors as best application method@ drying necessary or possible on an actual beach@ duration of film in a real environment@ effect of waves and weather@ and effect of sand erosion."