title: Development of a Method of Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry using Selected Ion Monitoring for the Measurement of Fish Sex Steroids in Water

authors: Boult, Cherie Helen

subjects: Sex Steroids

abstract: A method for the analysis of testosterone, androstenedione, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol, 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol, 5β-androstane-3β,17β-diol, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20β-triol, 5β-androstane-3α,11β-diol-17-one, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one, 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one and 11-deoxycortisol in water was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring.
Fish sex steroids were extracted from holding water using C18 SPE cartridges, and eluted using methanol. Free and glucuronide conjugate levels of steroids were determined, glucuronide conjugates by hydrolysis using β-glucuronidase prior to
derivatisation and free steroids by direct derivatisation. 
The method thus developed was applied to twelve goldfish holding water samples.
Androstenedione was found to be excreted in considerably higher quantities by
female ovulatory goldfish than spermiating goldfish, in contrast to previous
research in this area.

text: Development of a Method of Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry using Selected Ion Monitoring for the Measurement of Fish Sex Steroids in Water A method for the analysis of testosterone, androstenedione, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol, 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol, 5β-androstane-3β,17β-diol, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20β-triol, 5β-androstane-3α,11β-diol-17-one, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one, 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one and 11-deoxycortisol in water was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring.
Fish sex steroids were extracted from holding water using C18 SPE cartridges, and eluted using methanol. Free and glucuronide conjugate levels of steroids were determined, glucuronide conjugates by hydrolysis using β-glucuronidase prior to
derivatisation and free steroids by direct derivatisation. 
The method thus developed was applied to twelve goldfish holding water samples.
Androstenedione was found to be excreted in considerably higher quantities by
female ovulatory goldfish than spermiating goldfish, in contrast to previous
research in this area.

year: 2009

title: Pinch Analysis of an Industrial Milk Evaporator with Vapour Recompression Technologies

authors: Walmsley, Timothy Gordon

abstract: The present study focuses on applying Pinch Analysis to an industrial milk evaporator case study. Modern milk evaporators are typically integrated using both mechanical and thermal vapour recompression technologies as the primary means for attaining a high level of energy efficiency. A significant step change in energy efficiency for milk evaporators is achieved in this study by modifying the set-up of the concentration processing pathway in combination with an improved heat exchanger network design. To effectively perform the Pinch Analysis, a validated mass and energy balance model of the milk evaporator case study has been implemented in an Excel spreadsheet from which appropriate stream data may be extracted. In particular the Grand Composite Curve plays a critical role in identifying where vapour recompression units, which are a type of heat pump, may be applied to reduce thermal energy use by as much as 67 %, which represents an annual utility cost saving between 640 – 820 k$/y.

text: Pinch Analysis of an Industrial Milk Evaporator with Vapour Recompression Technologies The present study focuses on applying Pinch Analysis to an industrial milk evaporator case study. Modern milk evaporators are typically integrated using both mechanical and thermal vapour recompression technologies as the primary means for attaining a high level of energy efficiency. A significant step change in energy efficiency for milk evaporators is achieved in this study by modifying the set-up of the concentration processing pathway in combination with an improved heat exchanger network design. To effectively perform the Pinch Analysis, a validated mass and energy balance model of the milk evaporator case study has been implemented in an Excel spreadsheet from which appropriate stream data may be extracted. In particular the Grand Composite Curve plays a critical role in identifying where vapour recompression units, which are a type of heat pump, may be applied to reduce thermal energy use by as much as 67 %, which represents an annual utility cost saving between 640 – 820 k$/y.

year: 2015-08-27

title: Mātauranga Māori to inform understanding of population dynamics and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary, Bay of Plenty.

authors: Kettle, Tyla

abstract: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. They hold significant value to Māori as they connect the whenua (land), awa (river) and moana (ocean), and are an important source of kaimoana (seafood) including shellfish. However, due to increased anthropogenic pressures, many estuaries are degraded, affecting taonga (Māori treasure) species such as pipi (Paphies australis). My thesis uses kaupapa Māori methodology and is co-developed with Ngāti Whakahemo, tangata whenua (people of the land) of Waihī Estuary. This project fundamentally draws upon mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge), combined with western science to map the historic and current distribution, abundance and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary; as well as explore the perceptions of threats to pipi and estuary ecology from tangata whenua and the regional authority. 
Participatory mapping was used via kōrero/interviews with kaumātua to identify sites of significance for pipi, which were then sampled in November 2020. Mātauranga ā iwi from Ngāti Whakahemo informed the sampling locations. Previous pipi sampling methodology and protocols undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were used to facilitate temporal comparisons of pipi distribution and abundance. Environmental factors including sediment grain size, organic content, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were also measured to help understand what drives the population dynamics of pipi. Perceptions of tangata whenua and staff members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) were also explored following methods similar to Klain et al. (2018) and implementing a dread risk tool via participatory mapping.
Results show that culturally significant sites identified by kaumātua support high pipi abundances of large size (40mm+), with low abundances of pipi in the upper reaches of the estuary. The inclusion of sites identified by MPI allowed for more comprehensive survey on pipi population dynamics by utilising a stratified survey design. Pipi size and abundance was significantly correlated with environmental factors with high pipi densities associated with medium grain size fractions and low levels of TN, TP and organic content. Over harvesting was perceived by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members as the dominant threat to pipi abundance and Waihī Estuary. Nutrients related to sewage inputs and runoff were rated as the second highest perceived threat and diseased shellfish ranked third by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members. 
This study demonstrates that the sharing of mātauranga ā iwi can fundamentally inform western science methods and can be used as an approach to research in the marine science realm. The research space was shared by researchers and kaumātua, was honourable of the mātauranga, iwi voices were heard and a co-developed field survey plan/research plan was produced. Iwi concerns were made a priority throughout, and incorporated into the monitoring, mapping and management frameworks. Thus, I had a Māori-centred agenda which is important as Ngāti Whakahemo are looking to utilise the results from my research to inform their iwi environmental management plan. This approach will help to strengthen current marine management practices and in turn Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems due to iwi environmental management plans being informed by such results.

text: Mātauranga Māori to inform understanding of population dynamics and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary, Bay of Plenty. Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. They hold significant value to Māori as they connect the whenua (land), awa (river) and moana (ocean), and are an important source of kaimoana (seafood) including shellfish. However, due to increased anthropogenic pressures, many estuaries are degraded, affecting taonga (Māori treasure) species such as pipi (Paphies australis). My thesis uses kaupapa Māori methodology and is co-developed with Ngāti Whakahemo, tangata whenua (people of the land) of Waihī Estuary. This project fundamentally draws upon mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge), combined with western science to map the historic and current distribution, abundance and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary; as well as explore the perceptions of threats to pipi and estuary ecology from tangata whenua and the regional authority. 
Participatory mapping was used via kōrero/interviews with kaumātua to identify sites of significance for pipi, which were then sampled in November 2020. Mātauranga ā iwi from Ngāti Whakahemo informed the sampling locations. Previous pipi sampling methodology and protocols undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were used to facilitate temporal comparisons of pipi distribution and abundance. Environmental factors including sediment grain size, organic content, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were also measured to help understand what drives the population dynamics of pipi. Perceptions of tangata whenua and staff members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) were also explored following methods similar to Klain et al. (2018) and implementing a dread risk tool via participatory mapping.
Results show that culturally significant sites identified by kaumātua support high pipi abundances of large size (40mm+), with low abundances of pipi in the upper reaches of the estuary. The inclusion of sites identified by MPI allowed for more comprehensive survey on pipi population dynamics by utilising a stratified survey design. Pipi size and abundance was significantly correlated with environmental factors with high pipi densities associated with medium grain size fractions and low levels of TN, TP and organic content. Over harvesting was perceived by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members as the dominant threat to pipi abundance and Waihī Estuary. Nutrients related to sewage inputs and runoff were rated as the second highest perceived threat and diseased shellfish ranked third by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members. 
This study demonstrates that the sharing of mātauranga ā iwi can fundamentally inform western science methods and can be used as an approach to research in the marine science realm. The research space was shared by researchers and kaumātua, was honourable of the mātauranga, iwi voices were heard and a co-developed field survey plan/research plan was produced. Iwi concerns were made a priority throughout, and incorporated into the monitoring, mapping and management frameworks. Thus, I had a Māori-centred agenda which is important as Ngāti Whakahemo are looking to utilise the results from my research to inform their iwi environmental management plan. This approach will help to strengthen current marine management practices and in turn Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems due to iwi environmental management plans being informed by such results.

year: 2021