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The Motueka catchment is a major river system in the South Island, New Zealand, typically considered to be of 'good water quality'. The catchment has high metal inputs originating from a mineral belt in the headwaters. This study investigated the induction of metallothionein (MT) in the common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus, to assess exposure to trace metal contamination in the Motueka River. The results showed a significant increase in MT induction in both the gill and liver tissue samples from fish collected in the Motueka River compared to a reference site in the Brooklyn Stream tributary. This effect is likely modulated by the higher nickel levels originating from the Red Hills that accumulated in the sediment of the Motueka River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adverse respiratory effects of particulate air pollution have been identified by epidemiological studies. We aimed to examine the health effects of ambient particulate air pollution from wood burning on school-age students in Christchurch, New Zealand, and to explore the utility of urine and exhaled breath condensate biomarkers of exposure in this population. Methods A panel study of 93 male students (26 with asthma) living in the boarding house of a metropolitan school was undertaken in the winter of 2004. Indoor and outdoor pollution data was continuously monitored. Longitudinal assessment of lung function (FEV1 and peak flow) and symptoms were undertaken, with event studies of high pollution on biomarkers of exposure (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and effect (exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration). Results Peak levels of air pollution were associated with small but statistically significant effects on lung function in the asthmatic students, but not healthy students. No significant effect of pollution could be seen either on airway inflammation and oxidative stress either in healthy students or students with asthma. Minor increases in respiratory symptoms were associated with high pollution exposure. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were raised in association with pollution events by comparison with low pollution control days. Conclusion There is no significant effect of ambient wood-smoke particulate air pollution on lung function of healthy school-aged students, but a small effect on respiratory symptoms. Asthmatic students show small effects of peak pollution levels on lung function. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene shows potential as a biomarker of exposure to wood smoke in this population; however measurement of EBC pH and hydrogen peroxide appears not to be useful for assessment of population health effects of air pollution. Some of the data presented in this paper has previously been published in Kingham and co-workers Atmospheric Environment, 2006 Jan; 40: 338–347 (details of pollution exposure), and Cavanagh and co-workers Sci Total Environ. 2007 Mar 1;374(1):51-9 (urine hydroxypyrene data).

Abstract: Ambient particulate matter (PM10) in urban centres varies depending on emission sources, geography, demography, and meteorology. Hence physical (PM10, wind speed, rainfall, temperature), chemical (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH), and toxicological (Ames Test, H4IIE EROD Assay) analyses were done on daily PM10 (∼1640 m3/day) collected from three New Zealand urban sites where winter emissions were predominantly due to domestic home heating. Daily PM10 levels ranged between 9.7 and 20.8 in summer and between 21.8 and 61.0 μg/m3 in winter. Daily PAH concentrations were 0.5, 0.45, and 1.5 ng/m3 in summer and 52.1, 128.9, and 5.8 ng/m3 in winter at sites Christchurch, Alexandra and Dunedin, respectively. During winter, 74% of PM10 extracts from all three sites showed significant mutagenicity in the Ames Test (TA 98, −S9), whereas approximately 25% of the daily PM10 was mutagenic in summer. Benzo[a]pyrene and BaP carcinogenic equivalence concentrations during winter were strongly correlated to both mutagenicity and TCDD-like activity at two sites. Daily levels of TCDD toxicity equivalence concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 3.6 pg TCDD/m3 air in summer and from 0.3 to 4009 pg TCDD/m3 air in winter. Chemically and biologically derived TCDD toxicity equivalent concentrations were significantly correlated in all study locations indicating that PAH may represent most of the TCDD-like activity present in the PM10. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dung beetles perform vital ecosystem functions, but their survival is threatened by parasiticide use in veterinary practices. Currently, it's unclear if parasiticides directly harm dung beetles or cause damage via secondary effects on crucial microbiome components. We investigated the impact of three commercial parasiticides (P1–levamisole and oxfendazole; P2–abamectin, levamisole and oxfendazole; P3–moxidectin) on Onthophagus binodis dung beetle gut and exoskeleton microbiomes. Dung beetles were subjected to parasiticides mixed with fresh dung for 14 days, and we used 16S rRNA genes to detect bacterial diversity changes. The tested parasiticides didn't alter dung beetle gut communities, but slightly affected the exoskeleton microbiota composition. No mortality difference was observed. Onthophagus binodis microbiomes are mainly diet-influenced, and their exoskeleton is more adaptable than their gut. Our study suggests that adjustable dung beetle microbiomes aren't susceptible to parasiticides due to their innate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate air pollution is significantly elevated during the winter in Christchurch, New Zealand, largely attributable to use of wood burners for domestic home heating, topography, and meteorological conditions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a key component of airborne particulate matter (PM) and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has previously been used to assess exposure of people to PAHs. We examined urinary 1-OHP in Christchurch male non-smoking schoolchildren (12–18 yr) on two occasions after high pollution events (48 and 72 μg PM10/m3 24-h average) and two occasions during periods of low pollution (19 and 12 μg PM10/m3). Concentrations of urinary 1-OHP were significantly elevated in the students during high pollution events (median (mean±SD) 0. 043 (0. 051±0. 032) and 0. 042 (0. 060±0. 092) μmol OHP/mol creatinine respectively) compared with low pollution periods (median (mean±SD) 0. 019 (0. 026±0. 032) and 0. 025 (0. 028±0. 018) μmol/mol creatinine respectively). The observed 1-OHP concentrations are at the lower end of those determined in children and non-occupationally exposed adults in international studies and suggest a generally low exposure to PAHs. The increased urinary 1-OHP concentrations following nights of elevated particulate concentrations in ambient air suggest increased exposure to ambient air pollution during winter time, and could potentially be used as a biomarker of exposure in this population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]