cooling off in a river or lake on a hot day is one of summer's great pleasures. But is the water clear? Are the rocks slimy? Does it stink? Surveys repeatedly show that New Zealanders care about water quality - for swimming, drinking and food-gathering. For freshwater dwellers, it's life or death.
Freshwater scientists rely on more than their eyes, skin and noses to assess water quality - they take objective measurements. A nationwide survey using measurements of nitrogen, phosphorous, suspended sediment and E coli levels was published late last year by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge. It showed that even some catchments that include national parks and conservation estates need cuts in contaminants to meet bare-minimum water-quality standards. Some farming groups expressed concern that the standards must be too strict.
Ton Snelder, the report's lead author, explains that the study shows only where improvements are needed at a catchment level.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin February 10-16 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin February 10-16 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.