Temperature Preference, Avoidance, Shock, and Swim Speed Studies with Marine and Estuarine Organisms from New Jersey: Report for the Period January-December, 1975

This report is based on an ecological field study of ocean sites off Long Beach Island and Little Egg Inlet, New Jersey, for Public Service Electric and Gas Company in September 1971. The objectives of this study was to provide behavioral and physiological laboratory data needed to evaluate the effects of the intakes and heated discharge of a proposed Atlantic Generating Station (AGS), but the data should be applicable to other high salinity estuarine and ocean sites in the mid-Atlantic region. This progress report comprises studies conducted Jan-Dec, 1975, and includes experiments on preference (201 tests), avoidance (55), and cold shock (16), and sustained swimming speed (231). Temperature preference was examined by studies of the response of marine fishes to a thermal gradient. The impact of thermal discharges on fishes and macro-invertebrates may be evaluated by the organisms behavioral responses to the thermally altered area.The report was prepared for Public Service Electric and Gas Company, Newark, N.J.Purpose: To provide behavioral and physiological laboratory data needed to evaluate the effects of the intakes and heated discharge of a proposed Atlantic Generating Station