title: Tatua biosolids project

authors: Kandemulle Arachchilage, Samudu Manoj Kandemulla

abstract: This study investigates the potential of waste activated sludge (WAS) as a sustainable and cost-effective soil amendment for agricultural use. Through field trials, glasshouse experiments, and laboratory analyses, the research evaluates the effects of WAS on soil properties, plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and heavy metal content, comparing its performance with other organic amendments such as vermicast, chicken litter, and SustaiN™, a commercial fertilizer.
The findings reveal that WAS application significantly enhances plant growth and yield. It also improves soil fertility by increasing organic matter content and promoting root development, though its high mineralization and nitrification rates necessitate careful management to minimize nitrogen losses. Heavy metal analysis indicates that while WAS contains elevated levels of metals like chromium and lead, these remain within permissible limits and do not significantly impact plant uptake.
Cost analysis highlights WAS as the most economical option at $120/ha/yr, compared to significantly higher costs for other amendments. However, the study identifies gaps in understanding odour management, long-term environmental impacts, and the effects of WAS on livestock health, which warrant further investigation.
In conclusion, WAS demonstrates strong potential as a viable alternative to traditional fertilizers, offering a balance between cost-effectiveness, nutrient availability, and environmental sustainability. Future research should focus on long-term field trials, expanded crop studies, advanced nitrogen monitoring, and economic feasibility to optimize its use in diverse agricultural systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable soil amendments, providing valuable insights for farmers, policymakers, and researchers aiming to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental risks.

text: Tatua biosolids project This study investigates the potential of waste activated sludge (WAS) as a sustainable and cost-effective soil amendment for agricultural use. Through field trials, glasshouse experiments, and laboratory analyses, the research evaluates the effects of WAS on soil properties, plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and heavy metal content, comparing its performance with other organic amendments such as vermicast, chicken litter, and SustaiN™, a commercial fertilizer.
The findings reveal that WAS application significantly enhances plant growth and yield. It also improves soil fertility by increasing organic matter content and promoting root development, though its high mineralization and nitrification rates necessitate careful management to minimize nitrogen losses. Heavy metal analysis indicates that while WAS contains elevated levels of metals like chromium and lead, these remain within permissible limits and do not significantly impact plant uptake.
Cost analysis highlights WAS as the most economical option at $120/ha/yr, compared to significantly higher costs for other amendments. However, the study identifies gaps in understanding odour management, long-term environmental impacts, and the effects of WAS on livestock health, which warrant further investigation.
In conclusion, WAS demonstrates strong potential as a viable alternative to traditional fertilizers, offering a balance between cost-effectiveness, nutrient availability, and environmental sustainability. Future research should focus on long-term field trials, expanded crop studies, advanced nitrogen monitoring, and economic feasibility to optimize its use in diverse agricultural systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable soil amendments, providing valuable insights for farmers, policymakers, and researchers aiming to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental risks.

year: 2025

title: Consumer adoption of sustainable shellfish in China: Effects of psychological factors and segmentation

authors: Wang, Ou

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: China's large and increasing demand for aquatic products has had a significant effect on the sustainability of global water ecosystems. This study explored the effects of psychological factors and segmentation on Chinese consumers' adoption of sustainable shellfish. Data were collected by using a web-based questionnaire in three Chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing (with a total sample size of 643). Descriptive analysis, cluster analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Chinese consumers' subjective norms, personal norms, attitudes toward shellfish and attitudes toward water environment were significant psychological factors influencing their purchase intentions toward sustainable shellfish. Two consumer segments were identified: Sustainable-shellfish-pioneer (47.28%) and Sustainable-shellfish-conservative (52.72%). These two segments had significant differences in the purchase intentions for specific sustainable shellfish species, the effects of psychological factors on purchase intentions toward shellfish, and socio-demographic distributions (including income, occupation and marriage status). These first hand findings can help global shellfish producers, marketers and policy-makers to develop appropriate sustainable development strategies and policies for their shellfish resources when exploiting the huge market.

text: Consumer adoption of sustainable shellfish in China: Effects of psychological factors and segmentation China's large and increasing demand for aquatic products has had a significant effect on the sustainability of global water ecosystems. This study explored the effects of psychological factors and segmentation on Chinese consumers' adoption of sustainable shellfish. Data were collected by using a web-based questionnaire in three Chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing (with a total sample size of 643). Descriptive analysis, cluster analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Chinese consumers' subjective norms, personal norms, attitudes toward shellfish and attitudes toward water environment were significant psychological factors influencing their purchase intentions toward sustainable shellfish. Two consumer segments were identified: Sustainable-shellfish-pioneer (47.28%) and Sustainable-shellfish-conservative (52.72%). These two segments had significant differences in the purchase intentions for specific sustainable shellfish species, the effects of psychological factors on purchase intentions toward shellfish, and socio-demographic distributions (including income, occupation and marriage status). These first hand findings can help global shellfish producers, marketers and policy-makers to develop appropriate sustainable development strategies and policies for their shellfish resources when exploiting the huge market.

year: 2019

title: A Mātauranga Māori Perspective of Literacy for Adult Learners

authors: Furness, Jane Amanda

abstract: Globally, literacy can be conceived of in different ways. Two perspectives that have influenced adult literacy policy internationally are the economic functionalist and the sociocultural. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori educators have repeatedly advanced a mātauranga Māori perspective of literacy. This perspective has parallels with the embodied, practice-based multiliteracies and sociomateriality of the sociocultural perspective but less so with the dominant functionalist perspective. To address how Māori views have been side-lined in adult literacy policy development, we seek to clarify this view and foreground Māori-led policy recommendations that date back to the creation of the New Zealand Adult Literacy Strategy in 2001. We also highlight the relevance of this perspective by sharing the success and effectiveness of Māori-led adult literacy programmes. In doing so, we demonstrate the need for a biliteracy approach to adult literacy policy to reflect our bicultural nation and ensure Māori aspirations for literacy are met.

text: A Mātauranga Māori Perspective of Literacy for Adult Learners Globally, literacy can be conceived of in different ways. Two perspectives that have influenced adult literacy policy internationally are the economic functionalist and the sociocultural. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori educators have repeatedly advanced a mātauranga Māori perspective of literacy. This perspective has parallels with the embodied, practice-based multiliteracies and sociomateriality of the sociocultural perspective but less so with the dominant functionalist perspective. To address how Māori views have been side-lined in adult literacy policy development, we seek to clarify this view and foreground Māori-led policy recommendations that date back to the creation of the New Zealand Adult Literacy Strategy in 2001. We also highlight the relevance of this perspective by sharing the success and effectiveness of Māori-led adult literacy programmes. In doing so, we demonstrate the need for a biliteracy approach to adult literacy policy to reflect our bicultural nation and ensure Māori aspirations for literacy are met.

year: 2023-10-23