title: Exploring research data management from a data user’s perspective

authors: Wu, Yejun

subjects: Research Data Management

abstract: Current research data management practices focus more on data col-lecting, curating and sharing than on supporting data use and reuse. This re-search studies research data management from a data user’s perspective and aims to reveal what research data service features may support data reuse. Two data repositories – the TREC website and the GRI data repository – were stud-ied and compared from the perspectives of three types of data users (i.e., insid-ers, community users, and public users). The TREC website can support data reuse for insiders and community users, but not necessarily public users. The GRI repository can support data reuse for some insiders only. The findings have multiple implications for research data management.

text: Exploring research data management from a data user’s perspective Current research data management practices focus more on data col-lecting, curating and sharing than on supporting data use and reuse. This re-search studies research data management from a data user’s perspective and aims to reveal what research data service features may support data reuse. Two data repositories – the TREC website and the GRI data repository – were stud-ied and compared from the perspectives of three types of data users (i.e., insid-ers, community users, and public users). The TREC website can support data reuse for insiders and community users, but not necessarily public users. The GRI repository can support data reuse for some insiders only. The findings have multiple implications for research data management.

year: 2018

title: Modelling the impact of sewage reticulation in the Lake Tarawera catchment

authors: Dada, Ayokunle Christopher

abstract: In order to inform efforts being considered for the management of catchment sources of nutrient pollution into Lake Tarawera, a study was commissioned by the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association. This study, conducted by the University of Waikato, was specifically to assess the potential impacts of sewage reticulation on lake water quality.
Analyses of available data indicate that Lake Tarawera is regionally unique in that the majority of its phosphorus (P) load and a substantial portion of its nitrogen (N) load appear to be derived from a combination of ‘tributary’ lakes and geothermal sources. This may help explain the relatively high P concentrations and low N: P ratio in the lake. Waste water from septic systems contribute 3.3% (2.9t N y⁻¹) of the total N load and 2.7% (0.29 t P y⁻¹) of the total P load to Lake Tarawera This source of nutrients represents approximately 15% of the ‘manageable’ load from land use in the surface catchment. Mass balance models are often used to estimate catchment external load corresponding to desired in-lake nutrient concentrations or trophic state (assuming internal loading is negligible). In this study we adopted a reverse approach, using mass balance models to estimate the response of in-lake concentrations to changes in external load (namely, with and without sewage reticulation). Retention of phosphorus was estimated using the method of Vollenweider (1976) and retention of nitrogen was estimated after Harrison et al. (2009), with external load retention coefficients¹ of 0.73 and 0.72 for P and N, respectively.
Improperly treated domestic sewage from lakeside properties may contain pathogens including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths (intestinal worms and worm-like parasites). Historical measurements of E.coli concentrations from tap water samples collected from a number of sites around the lake between 1991 and 2015 were thus analysed, as many residential properties draw water directly from the lake and/or from closely linked groundwater. Given that microbiological noncompliance of drinking water samples was prevalent at most (6 out of 10) of the sampling locations considered in this analysis, authorities may need to look into more frequent testing and to reduce potential sources of faecal contamination within the catchment, including failed septic tanks, to improve public safety. In light of the current study, wastewater reticulation could make a significant contribution to mitigating public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems.
From a public health perspective, this study also highlights the need for efforts aimed at investigating and curbing potential sources of faecal contamination of drinking water sources within the catchment. This could include the commissioning of a microbial source tracking study that uses appropriate genetic markers to discriminate among the possible sources of faecal pollution within tap water used for domestic purposes in the Lake Tarawera catchment. These efforts ideally would be put in place before and after the execution of any sewage management intervention to initially establish the extent of human faecal contamination from faulty septic tanks and ultimately, to confirm that the sewage management efforts put in place are effective.
As part of Lake Tarawera water quality management plan, a wastewater reticulation system will reduce nutrient loading by 3 to 5%. Modelling of the reticulation of wastewater nutrient loads revealed that the impact on lake water nutrient concentrations is minor, as wastewater represents a small component of overall N and P loads to Lake Tarawera. Nevertheless, much of the load to the lake is from sources that are difficult to mitigate (e.g. geothermal, other lakes). Further, time lags in response of the nutrient loads to the lake may be lower due to the proximity of current wastewater inputs to the lake shore (as opposed to diffuse inputs from land use on the upper reaches of the catchment). Therefore, implementation of a reticulated sewage system as part of an overall plan to reduce loading of P and N into Lake Tarawera may be a desirable management initiative as it could make a contribution to improving manageable sources of nutrients from the lake catchment. In addition, a reticulated sewage system will reduce public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems. From a public health perspective, efforts such as further intensive sampling for faecal coliforms in drinking water, as well as the commissioning of microbial source tracking studies to identify faulty septic tanks is recommended. These investigations will also provide information on the performance of sewage management efforts (and optimisation) to reduce the discharge of pathogenic contaminants into the lake. This report has not made recommendations on the costs or value for money that sewage reticulation would entail. These considerations will be essential to complement our environmental investigation and underpin considerations of a reticulated sewage system for Lake Tarawera.

text: Modelling the impact of sewage reticulation in the Lake Tarawera catchment In order to inform efforts being considered for the management of catchment sources of nutrient pollution into Lake Tarawera, a study was commissioned by the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association. This study, conducted by the University of Waikato, was specifically to assess the potential impacts of sewage reticulation on lake water quality.
Analyses of available data indicate that Lake Tarawera is regionally unique in that the majority of its phosphorus (P) load and a substantial portion of its nitrogen (N) load appear to be derived from a combination of ‘tributary’ lakes and geothermal sources. This may help explain the relatively high P concentrations and low N: P ratio in the lake. Waste water from septic systems contribute 3.3% (2.9t N y⁻¹) of the total N load and 2.7% (0.29 t P y⁻¹) of the total P load to Lake Tarawera This source of nutrients represents approximately 15% of the ‘manageable’ load from land use in the surface catchment. Mass balance models are often used to estimate catchment external load corresponding to desired in-lake nutrient concentrations or trophic state (assuming internal loading is negligible). In this study we adopted a reverse approach, using mass balance models to estimate the response of in-lake concentrations to changes in external load (namely, with and without sewage reticulation). Retention of phosphorus was estimated using the method of Vollenweider (1976) and retention of nitrogen was estimated after Harrison et al. (2009), with external load retention coefficients¹ of 0.73 and 0.72 for P and N, respectively.
Improperly treated domestic sewage from lakeside properties may contain pathogens including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths (intestinal worms and worm-like parasites). Historical measurements of E.coli concentrations from tap water samples collected from a number of sites around the lake between 1991 and 2015 were thus analysed, as many residential properties draw water directly from the lake and/or from closely linked groundwater. Given that microbiological noncompliance of drinking water samples was prevalent at most (6 out of 10) of the sampling locations considered in this analysis, authorities may need to look into more frequent testing and to reduce potential sources of faecal contamination within the catchment, including failed septic tanks, to improve public safety. In light of the current study, wastewater reticulation could make a significant contribution to mitigating public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems.
From a public health perspective, this study also highlights the need for efforts aimed at investigating and curbing potential sources of faecal contamination of drinking water sources within the catchment. This could include the commissioning of a microbial source tracking study that uses appropriate genetic markers to discriminate among the possible sources of faecal pollution within tap water used for domestic purposes in the Lake Tarawera catchment. These efforts ideally would be put in place before and after the execution of any sewage management intervention to initially establish the extent of human faecal contamination from faulty septic tanks and ultimately, to confirm that the sewage management efforts put in place are effective.
As part of Lake Tarawera water quality management plan, a wastewater reticulation system will reduce nutrient loading by 3 to 5%. Modelling of the reticulation of wastewater nutrient loads revealed that the impact on lake water nutrient concentrations is minor, as wastewater represents a small component of overall N and P loads to Lake Tarawera. Nevertheless, much of the load to the lake is from sources that are difficult to mitigate (e.g. geothermal, other lakes). Further, time lags in response of the nutrient loads to the lake may be lower due to the proximity of current wastewater inputs to the lake shore (as opposed to diffuse inputs from land use on the upper reaches of the catchment). Therefore, implementation of a reticulated sewage system as part of an overall plan to reduce loading of P and N into Lake Tarawera may be a desirable management initiative as it could make a contribution to improving manageable sources of nutrients from the lake catchment. In addition, a reticulated sewage system will reduce public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems. From a public health perspective, efforts such as further intensive sampling for faecal coliforms in drinking water, as well as the commissioning of microbial source tracking studies to identify faulty septic tanks is recommended. These investigations will also provide information on the performance of sewage management efforts (and optimisation) to reduce the discharge of pathogenic contaminants into the lake. This report has not made recommendations on the costs or value for money that sewage reticulation would entail. These considerations will be essential to complement our environmental investigation and underpin considerations of a reticulated sewage system for Lake Tarawera.

year: 2016

title: Media psychology, symbolic power and social justice in Aotearoa

authors: Hodgetts, Darrin

subjects: media

abstract: Psychologists reside in a world saturated by media. We work in professional contexts where guidelines for practice foreground ethical obligations to address issues of social justice. This paper addresses both these contextual dimensions of psychological research and practice. We explore the social significance of increased media production by Maori in challenging the tendency in mainstream media to marginalize Maori concerns while promoting Pakeha perspectives. The analysis focuses on the recent 'Inside Out documentary - Hikoi', which was initiated by two young Maori women as a challenge to media framing of Maori protests as 'unjustified' and 'disruptive' acts. We illustrate how this documentary furthers public dialogue regarding the foreshore and seabed controversy by promoting an alternative depiction of a Maori protest, which emphasize the history of grievances and social unity. The implications of such representations for psychologists working to address issues of social justice and to challenge abuses of symbolic power are discussed.

text: Media psychology, symbolic power and social justice in Aotearoa Psychologists reside in a world saturated by media. We work in professional contexts where guidelines for practice foreground ethical obligations to address issues of social justice. This paper addresses both these contextual dimensions of psychological research and practice. We explore the social significance of increased media production by Maori in challenging the tendency in mainstream media to marginalize Maori concerns while promoting Pakeha perspectives. The analysis focuses on the recent 'Inside Out documentary - Hikoi', which was initiated by two young Maori women as a challenge to media framing of Maori protests as 'unjustified' and 'disruptive' acts. We illustrate how this documentary furthers public dialogue regarding the foreshore and seabed controversy by promoting an alternative depiction of a Maori protest, which emphasize the history of grievances and social unity. The implications of such representations for psychologists working to address issues of social justice and to challenge abuses of symbolic power are discussed.

year: 2004-11-19