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Item A study of the hydrological and sedimentological characteristics of two catchments of contrasting land use : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Soil Science at Massey University(Massey University, 1976) Bargh, Brian JamesThe hydrological and sedimentological characteristics of two catchments of contrasting land use were studied for a period of one year. Both catchments were situated in the Northern Tararua Ranges, near the Manawatu Gorge, some 27 km from Palmerston North, New Zealand. The 10 ha Ballance Catchment has native forest vegetation, whereas the 180 ha Tuapaka Catchment is part of a mixed sheep and cattle farm. The water balance estimated for the catchments indicated that a small amount of deep percolation occurred in both. Streamflow and rainfall were recorded at both catchments. During the study year approximately 26% and 14% of total rainfall was discharged as streamflow from the Tuapaka and Ballance Catchments, respectively. Throughfall and stemflow were also recorded at Ballance. The average monthly throughfall was 54% of total rainfall; the equivalent stemflow, was 16% of total rainfall. An attempt was made to identify and quantify the inputs of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) forms to the two catchments. Phosphate fertilizer application, N - fixation by clovers, and rainfall, were considered as the inputs of P and N forms in the Tuapaka Catchment. In the Ballance Catchment, rainfall was assumed to be the only input of P and N forms. The output of suspended sediment, dissolved material, and P and N forms, was measured during the study year. The output of sediment was 1.4 x 10³kg/ha and 1.6 x 10² kg/ha from the Tuapaka and Ballance Catchments, respectively. The output of dissolved material from the Tuapaka Catchment was only 13% of the sediment output. Significant quantities of P and N output were associated with suspended sediment. Of the annual loss of total P (1.6 kg/ha) from the Tuapaka Catchment, 76% was in the particulate form. At Ballance, 52% of the annual loss of total P (0.2 kg/ha) was in particulate form. Within the bounds of error, the Ballance Catchment appeared to be slightly conservative of P and strongly conservative of N. At the Tuapuka Catchment, however, inputs of P and N balanced outputs, within the bounds of error. It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether a particular catchment is conservative for P and N unless adequate attention is paid to the errors involved. The differences obtained for the output of sediment and P and N forms, from the two catchments, are interpreted in terms of the effects of agricultural activities, particularly vegetation differences, on the inputs of particulate and dissolved phases to the streams.Item New Zealand Oligocene land crisis : integrated micropaleontology of Waikato coal measures and associated sediments in central North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2012) Shepherd, Claire LouiseThe topic of complete inundation of the New Zealand landmass during the Oligocene is a contentious one, with some proponents arguing the possibility that Zealandia became completely submerged during this time, and others contesting the persistence of small islands. The outcome of this debate has significant implications for the way in which modern New Zealand flora and fauna have evolved. This research project addresses the topic from a geological point of view by analysing late Oligocene–early Miocene sediments in the Benneydale region, in order to establish the timing of marine transgression in this area. Samples from two cores drilled in the Mangapehi Coalfield were analysed for palynological and calcareous nannofossil content, and these data were used to determine the age and paleoenvironment of Waikato Coal Measures, Aotea Formation and Mahoenui Group. Additionally, data from 28 boreholes in the coalfield were utilized to construct a series of isopach maps to elucidate changes in the paleostructure through time. All data were combined to develop a series of paleogeographic maps illustrating the development of coal measures and associated sediments across the Benneydale region. The results of this study indicate a Waitakian (late Oligocene-early Miocene) age for Waikato Coal Measures in the Benneydale region. Although this finding is consistent with the idea that Waikato Coal Measures young to the south, it appears that deposition occurred later than previously thought. Additionally, palynological data signify the persistence of a well vegetated pollen source throughout the late Oligocene–early Miocene sequence. Isopach analysis reveals the presence of paleohighs in the eastern and southern regions of the coalfield. While there is no direct evidence of land persisting in the Benneydale region, the pollen and isopach results support the hypothesis that some land remained above sea level during the Oligocene.