title: Explaining marine debris on New Zealand beaches:  Empirical beach litter data and an evaluation of waste management practices

authors: van Gool, Ella Dorien

subjects: Marine debris

abstract: Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is a widely researched topic, particularly for its impacts on marine wildlife. Terrestrial sources of AMD are substantial, increasing, and primarily considered a result of mismanaged waste. Yet, large-scale empirical research linking losses from waste management with pollution on beaches is sparse. This thesis undertook a national assessment of AMD densities across 41 beaches and evaluated correlated factors that might influence AMD densities, including beach characteristics (such as orientation, steepness), population density, catchment size, and waste management practices. The findings suggest a strong correlation between local waste management practices and variations in AMD densities across New Zealand’s beaches. Methods applied in this multidisciplinary project include a comprehensive systematic literature review complemented with quantitative and qualitative research.
The results of empirical fieldwork across 41 beaches demonstrated a significant spatial variance, with the South Island showing a significantly higher mean debris density than the more populated North Island by count (P < .02) as well as by mass (P < .03). The majority (78%) of all AMD detected was plastic, and 72% arrived through the water. Analyses of local waste management practices showed that waste loss to the environment likely occurs due to uncoordinated planning, confusion resulting from discrepancies between local kerbside collection methods, and the inadequate management of (closed) landfills and farm dumps.
Including waste management factors in generalized linear modelling resulted in a better fit. Models specified the following significant waste management predictors: 1) the presence of a regional coordinating waste management document (less AMD), 2) the presence of rubbish bins on the beach (more AMD), and 3) the manner in which waste management is financed locally. The type of waste receptacles (open crates or lidded bins) and the amount of the local waste budget were not significant. Environmental factors explaining variances in AMD detected included the orientation of the beach (NE significantly less than E and SE), type of backshore, steepness of beach, as well as the size and the relative location of the nearest catchment.
The findings of this thesis contribute to the field of AMD research in the Southern Hemisphere and in New Zealand by establishing a national baseline whilst also refining the understanding of factors that may drive local and national waste loss to the environment. This study serves as a reference for follow-up studies, including in other locations (i.e., New Zealand’s West Coast) as well as accumulation studies, localized microplastic studies, invasive species transport, and global ocean modelling. Furthermore, this research is useful for waste prevention, policymakers, and local waste management planners in reviewing approaches to waste management at a local, regional and national level.

text: Explaining marine debris on New Zealand beaches:  Empirical beach litter data and an evaluation of waste management practices Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is a widely researched topic, particularly for its impacts on marine wildlife. Terrestrial sources of AMD are substantial, increasing, and primarily considered a result of mismanaged waste. Yet, large-scale empirical research linking losses from waste management with pollution on beaches is sparse. This thesis undertook a national assessment of AMD densities across 41 beaches and evaluated correlated factors that might influence AMD densities, including beach characteristics (such as orientation, steepness), population density, catchment size, and waste management practices. The findings suggest a strong correlation between local waste management practices and variations in AMD densities across New Zealand’s beaches. Methods applied in this multidisciplinary project include a comprehensive systematic literature review complemented with quantitative and qualitative research.
The results of empirical fieldwork across 41 beaches demonstrated a significant spatial variance, with the South Island showing a significantly higher mean debris density than the more populated North Island by count (P < .02) as well as by mass (P < .03). The majority (78%) of all AMD detected was plastic, and 72% arrived through the water. Analyses of local waste management practices showed that waste loss to the environment likely occurs due to uncoordinated planning, confusion resulting from discrepancies between local kerbside collection methods, and the inadequate management of (closed) landfills and farm dumps.
Including waste management factors in generalized linear modelling resulted in a better fit. Models specified the following significant waste management predictors: 1) the presence of a regional coordinating waste management document (less AMD), 2) the presence of rubbish bins on the beach (more AMD), and 3) the manner in which waste management is financed locally. The type of waste receptacles (open crates or lidded bins) and the amount of the local waste budget were not significant. Environmental factors explaining variances in AMD detected included the orientation of the beach (NE significantly less than E and SE), type of backshore, steepness of beach, as well as the size and the relative location of the nearest catchment.
The findings of this thesis contribute to the field of AMD research in the Southern Hemisphere and in New Zealand by establishing a national baseline whilst also refining the understanding of factors that may drive local and national waste loss to the environment. This study serves as a reference for follow-up studies, including in other locations (i.e., New Zealand’s West Coast) as well as accumulation studies, localized microplastic studies, invasive species transport, and global ocean modelling. Furthermore, this research is useful for waste prevention, policymakers, and local waste management planners in reviewing approaches to waste management at a local, regional and national level.

year: 2021

title: Thermus filiformis sp. nov., a Filamentous Caldoactive Bacterium

authors: Hudson, J. Andrew

subjects: biology

abstract: In a preliminary investigation the isolation of a caldoactive filamentous microorganism from a New Zealand hot spring was reported. This organism is described here as a new species belonging to the genus Thermus, namely, Thermus filiformis, based on ultrastructural, phenotypic, and anomalous Gram type characteristics. The cell wall of T. filiformis resembles that of Thermus aquaticus apart from the presence of an extra layer. The Thermus species tested, including T. filiformis, are negative for the aminopeptidase test, which is unusual for a gram-negative genus. T. filiformis is nonproteolytic, unlike most other Thermus strains, and also differs radically from other strains in morphology when it is observed by using phase-contrast microscopy. The single strain of the species has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 43280T (T = type strain).

text: Thermus filiformis sp. nov., a Filamentous Caldoactive Bacterium In a preliminary investigation the isolation of a caldoactive filamentous microorganism from a New Zealand hot spring was reported. This organism is described here as a new species belonging to the genus Thermus, namely, Thermus filiformis, based on ultrastructural, phenotypic, and anomalous Gram type characteristics. The cell wall of T. filiformis resembles that of Thermus aquaticus apart from the presence of an extra layer. The Thermus species tested, including T. filiformis, are negative for the aminopeptidase test, which is unusual for a gram-negative genus. T. filiformis is nonproteolytic, unlike most other Thermus strains, and also differs radically from other strains in morphology when it is observed by using phase-contrast microscopy. The single strain of the species has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 43280T (T = type strain).

year: 1987

title: Systemic racism in clinical psychology: Symposia

authors: Wairoa-Harrison, Sophia

subjects: Racial oppression

abstract: This study constitutes a part of the Working to End Racial Oppression (WERO) project on Systemic Racism in Health Education, Training, and Practice. The focus is on the three dimensions of racism in psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand: its costs, systems and the potential responses that exist. Content: To set the scene, the session will begin with a 30-minute presentation that outlines evidence from three WERO studies on different levels of racism affecting indigenous Māori and minoritised groups. First study presents findings from a desktop analysis of papers across university psychology departments. The findings will be compared with previous studies (Levy, 2007; Levy & Waitoki, 2015) to identify the changes in inclusion of Māori and culturally focused paper at different timepoints. The second study involves semi-structured interviews with Māori students enrolled in clinical psychology training programmes (n = 19) to understand the extent of cultural responsiveness, support, disparities, and representation within programmes. The third study draws on preliminary survey findings with directors of training programmes to depict the progress towards including taha Māori and cultural competency in the psychology curriculum since the studies by Abbott and Durie (1987) and Nathan (1999). The rest of the session will be conducted as a wānanga or a forum that includes a panel discussion amongst WERO research team while allowing for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge with the attendees. Opportunities will be provided for attendees to ask questions, provide feedback to the research analyses and findings, and share their experiences of witnessing or encountering racism in psychology. The session will be opened with a karakia (prayer) and attendees to be offered manaakitanga (hospitality) and tikanga (custom) to ensure cultural safety. Goals: In this session, the research team will bring the evidence derived from robust analyses on existence and ramifications of racism in psychology to the fore. These findings will be integrated with the Waitangi Tribunal claim (Levy, 2018) to shed light on the manifestations of racism across systems and agents responsible for the regulation, training and employment of psychologists. Findings will be used to inform ways for all in psychology to embark on Te Tiriti-focused, culturally-competent and equitable approaches in the quest of indigenising the psychology discipline and advancing it to be relevant to the multicultural nature of Aotearoa populations.

text: Systemic racism in clinical psychology: Symposia This study constitutes a part of the Working to End Racial Oppression (WERO) project on Systemic Racism in Health Education, Training, and Practice. The focus is on the three dimensions of racism in psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand: its costs, systems and the potential responses that exist. Content: To set the scene, the session will begin with a 30-minute presentation that outlines evidence from three WERO studies on different levels of racism affecting indigenous Māori and minoritised groups. First study presents findings from a desktop analysis of papers across university psychology departments. The findings will be compared with previous studies (Levy, 2007; Levy & Waitoki, 2015) to identify the changes in inclusion of Māori and culturally focused paper at different timepoints. The second study involves semi-structured interviews with Māori students enrolled in clinical psychology training programmes (n = 19) to understand the extent of cultural responsiveness, support, disparities, and representation within programmes. The third study draws on preliminary survey findings with directors of training programmes to depict the progress towards including taha Māori and cultural competency in the psychology curriculum since the studies by Abbott and Durie (1987) and Nathan (1999). The rest of the session will be conducted as a wānanga or a forum that includes a panel discussion amongst WERO research team while allowing for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge with the attendees. Opportunities will be provided for attendees to ask questions, provide feedback to the research analyses and findings, and share their experiences of witnessing or encountering racism in psychology. The session will be opened with a karakia (prayer) and attendees to be offered manaakitanga (hospitality) and tikanga (custom) to ensure cultural safety. Goals: In this session, the research team will bring the evidence derived from robust analyses on existence and ramifications of racism in psychology to the fore. These findings will be integrated with the Waitangi Tribunal claim (Levy, 2018) to shed light on the manifestations of racism across systems and agents responsible for the regulation, training and employment of psychologists. Findings will be used to inform ways for all in psychology to embark on Te Tiriti-focused, culturally-competent and equitable approaches in the quest of indigenising the psychology discipline and advancing it to be relevant to the multicultural nature of Aotearoa populations.

year: 2023-03-25