title: Evaluating the potential of historic sheep dips as point sources of trace element and organochlorine pollutants

authors: Tulagi, Asaeli

subjects: Sheep dip

abstract: Sheep dipping was a historic agricultural practice where sheep were immersed into insecticides to eradicate external parasites. Historical use of pesticides has caused localised soil contamination at former sheep dipping sites. There is limited information on offsite contamination such as in stream sediments, groundwater, and surface water. Predominant contaminants at historic sheep dipping sites are arsenic (As) and organochlorine (OC) compounds. There are estimated to be 50,000 former sheep dip sites in New Zealand, of which, over 10,000 are estimated to be in the Waikato Region.  Contamination at historical sheep dip sites is potentially concerning for human and environmental health.

The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate a range of historic sheep dips to identify sites that had the highest leaching potential; (2) characterise the selected study sites; (3) establish the extent of contamination in soil, sediments, and water; (4) evaluate the extent of offsite contamination; and (5) assess compliance to environmental guideline limits.

Soil samples from two former sheep dip sites were analysed for arsenic, copper, and organochlorines at depths of up to 20 cm. Further soil samples were analysed for arsenic at depths of up to 7.5 cm. Stream water and sediment samples were analysed for arsenic, copper, and organochlorines at upstream, downstream, and discharge point of a dip site located on a flood zone. Arsenic (0 - 2,839 mg/kg), dieldrin (0 - 8.60 mg/kg), lindane (including by-products) (0 - 0.560 mg/kg), DDT (including metabolites) (0 - 1.200 mg/kg), and endrin (0 - 0.127 mg/kg) were the main contaminants detected in soil samples. Concentrations of As (0.9 - 32 mg/kg), dieldrin (0 - 0.038 mg/kg), and benzene hexachloride (α-BHC and β-BHC) (0 - 0.0031 mg/kg) were detected in stream sediments. Organochlorine was not detected in surface water. As in surface water ranged from 0 to 0.0021 g/m3, which was well below the maximum acceptable value (MAV) of 0.01 g/m3for potable drinking water supplies.

Arsenic concentrations in 142 soil samples were well above environmental guidelines for human habitation (30 mg/kg). Dieldrin recorded low to moderate contamination in soils with one sample exceeding the environmental guideline of 6 mg/kg. Arsenic in 4 of the 18 stream sediment samples were above the interim sediment quality low level guideline (ISQG-Low) of 20 mg/kg. Dieldrin concentrations in surface sediments up to 13 cm deep were well above the interim sediment quality high level guideline (ISQG-High) of 0.008 mg/kg. α-BHC and β-BHC had no ISQG guideline. The levels detected were above the lindane guideline (ISQG-High) of 0.001 mg/kg in surface sediments. Evidence of sheep dip chemicals moving away from a sheep dip site included arsenic, dieldrin, and DDT up to 100 m downhill from a dip site located on the margins of a steep slope with an adjacent gully. Elevated As was detected in stream sediments up to 40 m downstream of a dip site located on a flood zone. High level contamination from dieldrin, α-BHC, and β-BHC were recorded in downstream sediments. 

This study recommends that sheep dips located within 15 m of a stream and margins of steep slopes with an adjacent gully should be regarded as priority sites for contaminated land investigations that should include a monitoring programme.

text: Evaluating the potential of historic sheep dips as point sources of trace element and organochlorine pollutants Sheep dipping was a historic agricultural practice where sheep were immersed into insecticides to eradicate external parasites. Historical use of pesticides has caused localised soil contamination at former sheep dipping sites. There is limited information on offsite contamination such as in stream sediments, groundwater, and surface water. Predominant contaminants at historic sheep dipping sites are arsenic (As) and organochlorine (OC) compounds. There are estimated to be 50,000 former sheep dip sites in New Zealand, of which, over 10,000 are estimated to be in the Waikato Region.  Contamination at historical sheep dip sites is potentially concerning for human and environmental health.

The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate a range of historic sheep dips to identify sites that had the highest leaching potential; (2) characterise the selected study sites; (3) establish the extent of contamination in soil, sediments, and water; (4) evaluate the extent of offsite contamination; and (5) assess compliance to environmental guideline limits.

Soil samples from two former sheep dip sites were analysed for arsenic, copper, and organochlorines at depths of up to 20 cm. Further soil samples were analysed for arsenic at depths of up to 7.5 cm. Stream water and sediment samples were analysed for arsenic, copper, and organochlorines at upstream, downstream, and discharge point of a dip site located on a flood zone. Arsenic (0 - 2,839 mg/kg), dieldrin (0 - 8.60 mg/kg), lindane (including by-products) (0 - 0.560 mg/kg), DDT (including metabolites) (0 - 1.200 mg/kg), and endrin (0 - 0.127 mg/kg) were the main contaminants detected in soil samples. Concentrations of As (0.9 - 32 mg/kg), dieldrin (0 - 0.038 mg/kg), and benzene hexachloride (α-BHC and β-BHC) (0 - 0.0031 mg/kg) were detected in stream sediments. Organochlorine was not detected in surface water. As in surface water ranged from 0 to 0.0021 g/m3, which was well below the maximum acceptable value (MAV) of 0.01 g/m3for potable drinking water supplies.

Arsenic concentrations in 142 soil samples were well above environmental guidelines for human habitation (30 mg/kg). Dieldrin recorded low to moderate contamination in soils with one sample exceeding the environmental guideline of 6 mg/kg. Arsenic in 4 of the 18 stream sediment samples were above the interim sediment quality low level guideline (ISQG-Low) of 20 mg/kg. Dieldrin concentrations in surface sediments up to 13 cm deep were well above the interim sediment quality high level guideline (ISQG-High) of 0.008 mg/kg. α-BHC and β-BHC had no ISQG guideline. The levels detected were above the lindane guideline (ISQG-High) of 0.001 mg/kg in surface sediments. Evidence of sheep dip chemicals moving away from a sheep dip site included arsenic, dieldrin, and DDT up to 100 m downhill from a dip site located on the margins of a steep slope with an adjacent gully. Elevated As was detected in stream sediments up to 40 m downstream of a dip site located on a flood zone. High level contamination from dieldrin, α-BHC, and β-BHC were recorded in downstream sediments. 

This study recommends that sheep dips located within 15 m of a stream and margins of steep slopes with an adjacent gully should be regarded as priority sites for contaminated land investigations that should include a monitoring programme.

year: 2015

title: Dietary intakes differ by body composition goals: An observational study of professional rugby union players in New Zealand

authors: Black, Katherine E.

abstract: Preseason in rugby union is a period of intensive training where players undergo conditioning to prepare for the competitive season. In some cases, this includes modifying body composition through weight gain or fat loss. This study aimed to describe the macronutrient intakes of professional rugby union players during pre-season training. It was hypothesized that players required to gain weight would have a higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake compared to those needing to lose weight. Twenty-three professional rugby players completed 3 days of dietary assessment and their sum of eight skinfolds were assessed. Players were divided into three groups by the team coaches and medical staff: weight gain, weight maintain and weight loss. Mean energy intakes were 3,875 ± 907 kcal·d⁻¹ (15,965 ± 3,737 kJ·d⁻¹) (weight gain 4,532 ± 804 kcal·d⁻¹; weight maintain 3,825 ± 803 kcal·d⁻¹; weight loss 3,066 ± 407 kcal·d⁻¹) and carbohydrate intakes were 3.7 ± 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹ (weight gain 4.8 ± 0.9 g.kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; weight maintain 2.8 ± 0.7 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; weight loss 2. 6 ± 0.7 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹). The energy and carbohydrate intakes are similar to published intakes among rugby union players. There were significant differences in energy intake and the percent of energy from protein between the weight gain and the weight loss group.

text: Dietary intakes differ by body composition goals: An observational study of professional rugby union players in New Zealand Preseason in rugby union is a period of intensive training where players undergo conditioning to prepare for the competitive season. In some cases, this includes modifying body composition through weight gain or fat loss. This study aimed to describe the macronutrient intakes of professional rugby union players during pre-season training. It was hypothesized that players required to gain weight would have a higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake compared to those needing to lose weight. Twenty-three professional rugby players completed 3 days of dietary assessment and their sum of eight skinfolds were assessed. Players were divided into three groups by the team coaches and medical staff: weight gain, weight maintain and weight loss. Mean energy intakes were 3,875 ± 907 kcal·d⁻¹ (15,965 ± 3,737 kJ·d⁻¹) (weight gain 4,532 ± 804 kcal·d⁻¹; weight maintain 3,825 ± 803 kcal·d⁻¹; weight loss 3,066 ± 407 kcal·d⁻¹) and carbohydrate intakes were 3.7 ± 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹ (weight gain 4.8 ± 0.9 g.kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; weight maintain 2.8 ± 0.7 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; weight loss 2. 6 ± 0.7 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹). The energy and carbohydrate intakes are similar to published intakes among rugby union players. There were significant differences in energy intake and the percent of energy from protein between the weight gain and the weight loss group.

year: 2019

title: Hoea a mai tōu waka – Claiming spaces for Māori tamariki and rangatahi in cognitive behaviour therapy

authors: Cargo, Tania

subjects: Maori

abstract: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective therapeutic intervention for a variety of psychological difficulties for children and youth (Barrett, Healey-Farrell, March, 2004; Stulemeijer, de Jong, Fiselier, Hoogveld, Bleijenberg, 2005; Butler, Chapman, Forman & Beck, 2006). However there is very little literature on its utility with indigenous children or youth, most of the literature has tended to look at “minority” populations and has focused on psychological outcomes (Weersing & Weisz, 2002; McNeil, Capage, Bennett, 2002).

text: Hoea a mai tōu waka – Claiming spaces for Māori tamariki and rangatahi in cognitive behaviour therapy Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective therapeutic intervention for a variety of psychological difficulties for children and youth (Barrett, Healey-Farrell, March, 2004; Stulemeijer, de Jong, Fiselier, Hoogveld, Bleijenberg, 2005; Butler, Chapman, Forman & Beck, 2006). However there is very little literature on its utility with indigenous children or youth, most of the literature has tended to look at “minority” populations and has focused on psychological outcomes (Weersing & Weisz, 2002; McNeil, Capage, Bennett, 2002).

year: 2008