Pollution
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From land to sea – tracing our trash
Water quality maps and information, April to June 2012
River temperatures April to June
Autumn river water temperatures were mostly in the range 8 to 16oC and tended to be slightly higher in the north and at lower altitude.
Preparing for land-use change in the Upper Motu catchment
The Motu River, in the eastern part of North Island, is the first of NZ’s so-called ‘wild and scenic rivers’. However, its upper catchment seems likely to be the focus of dairy expansion. NIWA scientists have been looking at the likely impacts of this change in land use.
Reducing contaminant runoff from roads
Heavy metals, released by wear on tyres and brake pads, are washed off roads and can contaminate rivers, streams and harbours. NIWA has recently completed a study to measure how much copper and zinc is discharged in road runoff, and how well different stormwater devices remove these contaminants from runoff.
Could climate change affect infectious diseases?
NIWA scientists are part of a team hoping to answer questions about how climate change might affect disease rates in New Zealand, such as those caused by pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Campylobacter, two major causes of disease in New Zealand.
Recent water quality information
Water temperature and clarity information, April to June 2010.