title: The history of transportations of stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (M. nivalis) to New Zealand, 1883–92

authors: King, Carolyn M.

subjects: biological invasions

abstract: This article presents an intensive original analysis of the history of the first deliberate transportations of non-domesticated European predators into southern New Zealand during the second half of the nineteenth century. It was part of one of the world’s first large-scale attempts to use alien carnivores as agents of biological control against a major vertebrate pest. In response to serious pasture damage in Southland and Otago by European rabbits, and the consequent decline in the value of wool exports, tens of thousands of the rabbits’ ‘natural enemies’, semi-tame ferrets, and pet cats collected from cities, were liberated on the worst-affected pastoral land, followed by wild-captured stoats and weasels. Against strong and repeated protests, at least 7,838 stoats and weasels were imported from Britain in at least 25 shipments between 1883 and 1892. The total cost over the decade was probably at least NZ$1–2 million in today’s money, with no effect on the numbers of rabbits. The historic details of the mustelid introductions, never previously assembled, cast an unconventional light on an old story, concerning how powerful economic interests and dominant cultural assumptions determine official policy, with implications for thinking about contemporary ecological globalisation.

text: The history of transportations of stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (M. nivalis) to New Zealand, 1883–92 This article presents an intensive original analysis of the history of the first deliberate transportations of non-domesticated European predators into southern New Zealand during the second half of the nineteenth century. It was part of one of the world’s first large-scale attempts to use alien carnivores as agents of biological control against a major vertebrate pest. In response to serious pasture damage in Southland and Otago by European rabbits, and the consequent decline in the value of wool exports, tens of thousands of the rabbits’ ‘natural enemies’, semi-tame ferrets, and pet cats collected from cities, were liberated on the worst-affected pastoral land, followed by wild-captured stoats and weasels. Against strong and repeated protests, at least 7,838 stoats and weasels were imported from Britain in at least 25 shipments between 1883 and 1892. The total cost over the decade was probably at least NZ$1–2 million in today’s money, with no effect on the numbers of rabbits. The historic details of the mustelid introductions, never previously assembled, cast an unconventional light on an old story, concerning how powerful economic interests and dominant cultural assumptions determine official policy, with implications for thinking about contemporary ecological globalisation.

year: 2017

title: Aspects of the chemistry of lead in multiphase soil model systems and the environment

authors: Raksasataya, Mathya

abstract: Synthetic model soils were used to evaluate redistribution of Pb in both the three-stage sequential extraction procedure proposed by the Commission of the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR, now Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) (1993) and the commonly-applied procedure of Tessier et al. (1979). Redistribution of Pb in both schemes was found to be substantial, sufficient to render meaningless any attempts to quantify the original phase associations of Pb in cases where these are not known. In the model systems, the manganese oxide (hausmannite) and humic acid phases were found to be responsible for most of this redistribution in both schemes. Despite the fact that both schemes allow severe Pb redistribution to occur, differences are apparent in the manner in which this occurs. Whereas Tessier et al.’s procedure in all cases yielded the highest recovery of Pb at the reducing step, the three-stage BCR procedure released the most Pb at the oxidizing step, in both cases irrespective of where it originated. These differences are attributable to a combination of high temperature (96 °C) and the presence of 25% v/v acetic acid in Tessier et al.’s reducing step. These conditions were found to reduce the sorptive capacity of humic acid by more than 50%, in addition to retaining more of the Pb in solution by complexation with acetate ions.

Extensive redistribution in the three-stage BCR procedure was also observed in systems where natural soils were mixed with Pb-spiked synthetic phases. In keeping with the results relating to synthetic soil models, the organic matter and Fe/ Mn oxide fractions of the natural soils appear to dominate the redistribution of Pb during the extraction. 

Two approaches were tested in terms of their ability to counteract the redistribution of Pb. Each approach was applied to the first extraction step of the BCR scheme, which underwent a range of modifications. These involved the use of 6 distinct solid sequestering materials, and 5 dissolved complexing agents. The most promising of all the approaches are those which involve the two soluble structurally-distinct complexing agents cryptand 2.2.2 (a macrobicyclic ligand) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NT A). The addition of each ligand generally improved the percentages of Pb recovered from the multi-phase model soils, with Pb originally spiked on calcite. However, the effectiveness of the cryptand and NTA at inhibiting redistribution (at concentrations of 9 x 10⁻³ and 1 x 10⁻⁴ M, respectively) was dependent on the percentages (by weight) of the hausmannite and humic acid in each model system. In the presence of no more than 2% hausmannite, both cryptand and NTA could satisfactorily recover about 60% of the Pb, provided that the percentages of humic acid in the systems were not higher than 10% and 5%, respectively.

The preliminary criteria for selecting a potentially useful soluble complexing agent suggested by the results of this study are that the ligand possess (a) a high stability constant for the ion involved, and (b) a semi-encapsulated metal binding site (which appears to inhibit direct surface extraction from occurring). It is desirable in the case of Pb to decrease the extraction time of the first step in the BCR scheme to minimize opportunity for redistribution. 

The modified extraction solution using the cryptand successfully recovered Pb from a mixture of Pb-spiked calcite and a “clean” natural soil. However, when applied to contaminated roadside soil and dust samples (in the absence of a spiked phase), the modified extraction solution did not significantly alter the recovery pattern of Pb, relative to the conventional extraction solution. This result may reflect the natural distribution of Pb in these samples. 

Four parks in the City of Hamilton were selected as monitoring sites for assessment of levels of Pb in roadside soil and street dust during the removal of leaded-petrol from the New Zealand market. Samples were collected every 2 - 3 months during November 1995 to September 1996. The mean concentrations of Pb in top 2 cm kerbside soil from all the parks reveal a slight downward trend (statistically significant in three parks) whereas those of the fine and coarse fractions of kerbside dust were oscillating.

text: Aspects of the chemistry of lead in multiphase soil model systems and the environment Synthetic model soils were used to evaluate redistribution of Pb in both the three-stage sequential extraction procedure proposed by the Commission of the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR, now Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) (1993) and the commonly-applied procedure of Tessier et al. (1979). Redistribution of Pb in both schemes was found to be substantial, sufficient to render meaningless any attempts to quantify the original phase associations of Pb in cases where these are not known. In the model systems, the manganese oxide (hausmannite) and humic acid phases were found to be responsible for most of this redistribution in both schemes. Despite the fact that both schemes allow severe Pb redistribution to occur, differences are apparent in the manner in which this occurs. Whereas Tessier et al.’s procedure in all cases yielded the highest recovery of Pb at the reducing step, the three-stage BCR procedure released the most Pb at the oxidizing step, in both cases irrespective of where it originated. These differences are attributable to a combination of high temperature (96 °C) and the presence of 25% v/v acetic acid in Tessier et al.’s reducing step. These conditions were found to reduce the sorptive capacity of humic acid by more than 50%, in addition to retaining more of the Pb in solution by complexation with acetate ions.

Extensive redistribution in the three-stage BCR procedure was also observed in systems where natural soils were mixed with Pb-spiked synthetic phases. In keeping with the results relating to synthetic soil models, the organic matter and Fe/ Mn oxide fractions of the natural soils appear to dominate the redistribution of Pb during the extraction. 

Two approaches were tested in terms of their ability to counteract the redistribution of Pb. Each approach was applied to the first extraction step of the BCR scheme, which underwent a range of modifications. These involved the use of 6 distinct solid sequestering materials, and 5 dissolved complexing agents. The most promising of all the approaches are those which involve the two soluble structurally-distinct complexing agents cryptand 2.2.2 (a macrobicyclic ligand) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NT A). The addition of each ligand generally improved the percentages of Pb recovered from the multi-phase model soils, with Pb originally spiked on calcite. However, the effectiveness of the cryptand and NTA at inhibiting redistribution (at concentrations of 9 x 10⁻³ and 1 x 10⁻⁴ M, respectively) was dependent on the percentages (by weight) of the hausmannite and humic acid in each model system. In the presence of no more than 2% hausmannite, both cryptand and NTA could satisfactorily recover about 60% of the Pb, provided that the percentages of humic acid in the systems were not higher than 10% and 5%, respectively.

The preliminary criteria for selecting a potentially useful soluble complexing agent suggested by the results of this study are that the ligand possess (a) a high stability constant for the ion involved, and (b) a semi-encapsulated metal binding site (which appears to inhibit direct surface extraction from occurring). It is desirable in the case of Pb to decrease the extraction time of the first step in the BCR scheme to minimize opportunity for redistribution. 

The modified extraction solution using the cryptand successfully recovered Pb from a mixture of Pb-spiked calcite and a “clean” natural soil. However, when applied to contaminated roadside soil and dust samples (in the absence of a spiked phase), the modified extraction solution did not significantly alter the recovery pattern of Pb, relative to the conventional extraction solution. This result may reflect the natural distribution of Pb in these samples. 

Four parks in the City of Hamilton were selected as monitoring sites for assessment of levels of Pb in roadside soil and street dust during the removal of leaded-petrol from the New Zealand market. Samples were collected every 2 - 3 months during November 1995 to September 1996. The mean concentrations of Pb in top 2 cm kerbside soil from all the parks reveal a slight downward trend (statistically significant in three parks) whereas those of the fine and coarse fractions of kerbside dust were oscillating.

year: 1998

title: Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders

authors: Billot, Moana

abstract: Objectives: 
A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.
Method:
Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n=195) and non-Māori (n=195) participants from New Zealand.
Results:
The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand.
Preregistration:
This study is not preregistered.

text: Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders Objectives: 
A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.
Method:
Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n=195) and non-Māori (n=195) participants from New Zealand.
Results:
The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand.
Preregistration:
This study is not preregistered.

year: 2023-08-25