In　this　paper,　a　unified　framework　was　applied　to　derive　compact　polarimetric　Synthetic　Aperture　Radar　(SAR)　features　under　general　transmit　and　linear　receive　polarization　conditions.　Following　the　rationale　of　polarization　signature,　the　characteristics　of　features　derived　by　transmission　of　variant　roll　angles　and　ellipticity　are　analyzed.　Statistical　distance　was　proposed　to　quantitatively　measure　the　performance　of　these　compact　polarimetric　SAR　features　on　marine　oil　spill　classification.　Experiment　was　conducted　on　a　Radarsat-2　quad-pol　SAR　scene　acquired　during　a　controlled　oil-on-water　exercise.