Print PageThere is a growing concern over pharmaceuticals that can be potentially discharged in wastewater effluents due to physiological disruption such as reproductive abnormalities in aquatic organisms. There is little or no information concerning the effects that the 400+ wastewater treatment plants in Harris County have on aquatic biota. This study examined Gambusia affinis, the western mosquitofish, to assess any evidence of physiological disruption due to proximity to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in the bayous of Houston. Five study sites were chosen and mosquitofish were sampled above and below the effluents within 250 meters
Results/Conclusions
Results have determined that there is no statistical difference (α=0.05) in standard length, log gonadosomatic index (GSI) or log hepatosomatic index (HSI), above and below the WWTP. There seems to be no reproductive or somatic effect due to any chemicals potentially being discharged by the WWTP however, conclusions cannot be fully made at this point until all specimens have been analyzed as well as water samples have been analyzed. The results from this will characterize the reproductive status of mosquitofish populations in Harris County, Texas to establish baseline indicators for future research and monitoring efforts.
