Water quality of the Ahuriri marine environment is an important indicator of health in the marine ecosystem.
Below are the results of each of the Tohu Whāiti associated with this Tohu Matua. These Tohu Whāiti collectively inform the overall health of this Tohu Matua.
For each Tohu Whāiti we score qualitative and quantitative indicators called Pātai Inenga, we use these score to determine the health of each Tohu Whāiti. The ratings below are on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being very weak and 10 being very strong.
Sediment
Sediment compared to all other contaminants entering water is known as the master stressor for all aquatic life.
QUALITATIVE
How do you rate the site for diveability due to sediment/visibility for mahinga kai harvest?
Method of Testing Paralytic shell poisoning present in shellfish flesh (Kuku) in a 12 month period. How many closures over a 12 month period spanning how many days/weeks?
Method of Testing Use the score from Mana Tangata Hauora, Shellfish, ‘How many species of toxic algae are there?’- Pātai Ine
Method of Scoring 0 = 0-10% of the score of MT Hauora, Shellfish, species of toxic algae. 1-3 = 10-30% of the score of MT Hauora, Shellfish, species of toxic algae. 4-6 = 40-60% of the score of MT Hauora, Shellfish, species of toxic algae. 7-9 = 70-90% of the score of MT Hauora, Shellfish, species of toxic algae. 10 = 100% of the score of MT Hauora, Shellfish, species of toxic algae.
Benthic Community
Benthic communities are largely composed of macroinvertebrates, and crustaceans, which are a key food source for mahinga kai species. These organisms inhabit the bottom substrate of the seabed and play a vital role in maintaining sediment and water quality.
QUANTITATIVE
What is the current biodiversity of the benthic invertebrate community?
Method of Testing Use the score from Mana Moana, Hauora, Sediment muddiness – Pātai Ine.
Methodology of Scoring 0 = 0-10% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment Muddiness Pātai Ine. 1-3 = 10-30% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment muddiness Pātai Ine. 4-6 = 40-60% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment muddiness Pātai Ine. 7-9 = 70-90% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment muddiness Pātai Ine. 10 = 100% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment muddiness Pātai Ine.
QUANTITATIVE
Does the current level of heavy metals present a risk to Tangaroa and whānau health?
Method of Testing Use the averaged percent score from Mana Moana Hauora, quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine.
Method of Scoring 0 = 0-10% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine. 1-3 = 10-30% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine. 4-6 = 40-60% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine. 7-9 = 70-90% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine. 10 = 100% of the overall score of MM quantitative Sediment heavy metals Pātai Ine.
Enteroccoci/E.coli
Water contaminated by human or animal excreta may contain a range of pathogenic disease-causing micro-organisms that may pose a health risk and accumulate in shellfish.
QUALITATIVE
In the past 12 months, which of the following sites have you been swimming at?
Method of Testing Determine how many samples were over the amber threshold at each site.
Method of Scoring in Summer In freshwater the concentration threshold for E. coli is 260 /100 mL and in saltwater its 140 Enterococci / 100 mL. Kaimātai moana rōpū to determine score.
pH/Salinity
Changes in salinity and pH will affect a wide range of marine biota and therefore toanga and mahinga kai species too will be affected.
QUANTITATIVE
Is the pH concentration at our monitoring sites and research bouys negatively impacting on Tangaora?