Science Information Sheets

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  Veritec: Analytical Chemistry Service

  Veritec is Scion’s analytical chemistry laboratory specialising in forestry related samples and material testing. Veritec provides a variety of component level tests focused on soil, foliage, waste water, wood and wood preservation.

  Published Online - 2013. [487.4 KB] (pdf).
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  Biodegradation & Compostability Testing

  Scion has designed and built a test facility for measuring the composting of materials like bioplastics, paper and wood.

  Published Online - 19 Jul 2012. [126.1 KB] (pdf).
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  TOGA: Titration and Off-Gas Analyser

  The Scion-developed titration off-gas analyser (TOGA) helps measure and control process reactions such as those that occur in wastewater treatment systems.

  Published Online - 28 Aug 2012. [104.5 KB] (pdf).
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  The Scion Geospatial Team - Mapping Out NZ Forestry’s Future

  At Scion, our Geospatial Team has a range of GIS skills and capability from spatial analysis, statistics through to modelling. These skills and capability are employed on a number of cross-disciplinary projects. This document highlights what we can offer to research projects at Scion.

  Published Online - 19 Jul 2012. [602.7 KB] (pdf).
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  TERAX Hydrothermal Deconstruction

  The TERAX hydrothermal deconstruction technology, which involves Crown Research Institute Scion and the Rotorua District Council, is testing a new approach to organic waste management.

  Published Online - 2013. [149.2 KB] (pdf).
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  Scion's Genetically Modified Tree Research

  A factsheet about Scion’s genetic modification research history, Scion’s current research programme, and the global benefits. Also a list of GM research papers published by Scion scientists.

  Published Online - 2013. [152.4 KB] (pdf).
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  Creating biofuels from wood

  In New Zealand, forests offer a significant opportunity for large scale production of biofuels to replace fossil fuels. A pre-treatment process for radiata pine developed by Scion improves the enzymatic conversion of this softwood into sugars.

  Published Online - Mar 2011. [896.8 KB] (pdf).
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  Torrefaction: Technology for energy-dense wood fuels

  After less than an hour of being treated at 200 to 300ºC in an oxygen-free environment, torrefied wood has a low moisture content, high energy density and can be easily crushed. It has the potential to compete with coal as a fuel source in New Zealand.

  Published Online - 28 Aug 2012. [131.2 KB] (pdf).
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  Waste 2 Gold : Deconstruction Technologies for Organic Waste Utilisation

  NZ's organic wastes can be a valuable high volume source of energy, biomaterials and fertilisers. The TERAX technology developed in the Waste 2 Gold initiative utilises these resources. .

  Published Online - Feb 2010. [281.6 KB] (pdf).
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  The ZESPRI Biospife

  Scion is working with New Zealand kiwifruit producer ZESPRI® to replace their current petrochemical-based (conventional plastic) spife with an environmentally-friendly version.

  Published Online - 14 Sep 2012. [86.1 KB] (pdf).
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  Managing forests for freshwater enhancement

  Scion provides expertise to support the management of forested catchments, offering a unique combination of skills in New Zealand forestry and aquatic ecosystems.

  Published Online - Nov 2010. [1.5 MB] (pdf).
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  GM tree research FAQs

  Some frequently asked questions and answers about genetic modification research and Scion's field trials with radiata pine.

  Published Online - 2013. [155.9 KB] (pdf).
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  Te Maramatanga o Te Tipuranga

  This panui (booklet) contains information on Scion's mahi (work) on the results of the field trial of genetically modified pine and spruce trees. 'Te Maramanga o Te Tipuranga' means ‘understanding’ (Maramatanga) of ‘growth’ (Tipuranga).

  Published Online - 2004. [2.1 MB] (pdf).

  » Show abstract

  This field trial is designed to answer questions about the interaction between genetically modified (GM) trees and the environment. It allows scientists to study potential risks and to understand how genes are expressed in the living trees. The trial is part of a long-term kaupapa (plan) aimed at improving the value of Tane (trees) to forest growers. The local Tangata Whenua have been involved in the field trial from the beginning. This field trial idea was presented to the Maori community as early as 1999 through Hui, which were set up by Kaumatua Ben Hona (Ngati Taeotu, Ngati Hurungaterangi and Ngati Te Kahu). These Hui provided an opportunity to discuss and evaluate concerns surrounding plant gene technology, such as genetic modification or Genetic Engineering (GE), as it is also known.
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  Materials Processing & Chracterisation List

  Scion's materials characterisation and processing equipment are available to commercial clients.

  Published Online - 26 Sep 2012. [142.3 KB] (pdf).
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  New Zealand Native Trees

  The latest information about managing planted stands of native trees is available in the New Zealand Indigenous Tree Bulletin series. The focus of these bulletins is on growing for production as well as environmental, cultural and social objectives.

  Published Online - 6 Dec 2012. [1.7 MB] (pdf).
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  Biofuels from Wood

  Scion scientists have successfully developed an enzyme-based process for converting radiata pine into simple sugars and a functional lignin. These sugars can be used as feedstocks for the production of either biofuels such as bioethanol, biobutanol and hydrocarbons, or for chemicals such as bioplastics.

  Published Online - 2013. [511.1 KB] (pdf).
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  Climate Change Info Sheet - Carbon Forestry - the opportunity

  Well-managed forests can deliver many benefits to growers and society generally; carbon capture is one of them. New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) enables growers of forests planted after 1989 the opportunity to trade carbon credits for profit.

  Published Online - 22 Aug 2012. [221.3 KB] (pdf).
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  Forests and Climate Change: Wind Damage

  Forests and Climate Change: Wind Damage. Broken and uprooted trees caused by severe wind events can result in large value losses for forest growers. Extreme winds, including subtropical cyclones, are predicted to become more frequent in New Zealand.

  Published Online - 2013. [256.3 KB] (pdf).
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  Climate Change Info Sheet - Bioenergy from Forests

  Biomass arising from planted forests represents one of New Zealand’s largest renewable resources. As long as a tree is planted for every one that is cut down, woody biomass offers an abundant source of low-carbon energy.

  Published Online - 20 Jul 2012. [237.7 KB] (pdf).
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  Forests and Climate Change: Pests Diseases and Weeds

  Forests and Climate Change: Pests, Diseases and Weeds. The impact of pests, diseases and weeds cause significant economic losses in planted forests. These risks are expected to increase with climate change as average temperatures rise.

  Published Online - 2013. [235.8 KB] (pdf).
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  Forests and Climate Change: High Intensity Rain

  Forests and Climate Change: High Intensity Rain. Erosion and flooding caused by heavy rain can damage soils and create havoc downstream from sediment and debris flows. Intense rain events are predicted to become more frequent in New Zealand as average temperatures rise.

  Published Online - 2013. [289.6 KB] (pdf).
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  Forests and Climate Change: Fire Risk

  Forests and Climate Change: Fire Risk. Many regions of New Zealand are expected to get warmer, drier and windier in the future. These changes will cause a significant increase in fire danger for some areas, meaning higher potential losses for forest growers.

  Published Online - 2013. [206.5 KB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Anaerobic Digestion

  Anaerobic Digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It is used for industrial or domestic purposes to reduce waste and/or to release energy. Sludge production is lower from this process than from aerobic treatment (normally earlier in the treatment chain).

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [3.0 MB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Combustion

  Combustion of waste involves the total conversion of organic solids to oxidised end products, primarily carbon dioxide, water and ash. Combustion can be purely for waste reduction, an added benefit is the recovery of energy in the form of heat and steam. Efficient combustion destroys pathogens and toxic compounds.

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [3.2 MB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Composting

  Controlled aerobic decomposition/stabilisation of organic matter over a period of several months. The high temperatures required for effective composting (70°C) reduce pathogen levels in the final product and also reduce microbial levels compared to vermicomposting.

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [3.1 MB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Sludge Dewatering

  Sludge dewatering is an intermediate process that mechanically reduces the moisture content of sludge for subsequent processing. Dewatering lowers the volume and weight of solid wastes, reducing costs (such as transport and landfill).

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [174.3 KB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Sludge Drying

  Sludge Drying generally involves the use of low grade (waste) heat, wind, air or solar energy to lower the moisture content of solid wastes. Solar drying in lagoons and drying beds is a low cost option that requires time and space. The performance of these open systems are strongly weather dependent.

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [2.9 MB] (pdf).
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  Tech Sheet: Vermicomposting

  Vermicomposting is the process of composting using compost worms to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. The material used for vermicomposting needs to be presented as a blended mass at an acceptable carbon to nitrogen ratio. If the carbon to nitrogen ratio is too high or too low, waste degradation is slowed.

  Published Online - 10 May 2013. [3.2 MB] (pdf).