Many studies have investigated the toxicity of ambient waters of the Arthur Kill (NJ) to a variety of aquatic organisms. Most of these studies, however, have investigated acutely toxic effects only. Few studies have examined sublethal effects of the waters of Arthur Kill.

The present study investigated sublethal effects of ambient waters of the Arthur Kill to the estuarine mysid, Mysidopsis bahia. Three different sites were evaluated for effects on survival, growth and sexual maturity. Site one is upstream of the wastewater discharge from a large power plant. Sites two and three are one and two miles downstream of the discharge from the power plant, respectively. Water from Manasquan (NJ) inlet was used as the control for the study. The study was performed three times during a 3-month period.

The method for the study was based on recommendations of the manual “Interim Chronic Toxicity Testing Methodologies For Use in the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program, Version 1.0.”

Results indicate that survival was not affected in any of the sites investigated. Growth of mysids exposed to the upstream site was significantly reduced, as compared to controls, in all three tests. Growth of mysids exposed to water from sites two and three did not show any adverse effects in any of the three trials. Sexual maturity was adversely affected in mysids exposed to waters from sites two and three as compared to the controls. Sexual maturity in mysids exposed to water from site one was not significantly different from those in the controls.

Results from this study will contribute to the database on the ambient water quality of the Arthur Kill. The study clearly demonstrates the applicability of short-term screening toxicity tests as a simple tool for detecting ambient water quality. In addition, this study utilizes sexual maturity as a sublethal endpoint rather than fecundity for Mysidopsis bahia, representing a new means of including both sexes in reproductive toxicity.