Determining the damage to Astrolabe Reef
Further sampling is a priority for Rena Recovery scientists who have confirmed there are elevated levels of contaminants close to the Rena wreck on Otaiti (Astrolabe Reef).
The Rena Recovery monitoring team has recently gained greater access to the reef following over a year of dangerous salvage operations restricting access.
The team is now working hard to determine the significance of the contaminants, including any impact on marine life around the reef, and the best approach to address those impacts.
Professor Chris Battershill, University of Waikato Chair of Coastal Science said that it had been expected that contaminants would be found at the ship wreck site and they are now working directly with the salvors to access the reef to collect more samples.
“Sediment samples have shown elevated levels of contaminants including copper and PAH’s (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) which are known contaminants that were lost to sea from the Rena and its cargo.
“While we only have limited sampling information at this point, early indications are that the contamination is localised,” Professor Battershill said.
Dr Jim Miller, Bay of Plenty Medical Officer of Health, said that while the two nautical mile exclusion zone remains in place these results do not change current advice that there is no appreciable food safety risk from the Rena.
Resolve Salvage & Fire, appointed by the owners and insurers of the Rena are using specialist heavy-lifting equipment to remove cargo, wreck and container debris over approximately 10,000 square metres from around the wreck.
This work will enable scientists to undertake a more detailed study of the surface of the reef to help determine what if any contaminants remain trapped. Resolve will manage the removal of identified contaminants.
Professor Battershill said that the work is being carried out as quickly as possible but a full analysis would take time.
“We are working hard to get more information for the public as soon as we can. Once all the sampling, testing and analysis has taken place it is likely to be March when we will next be able to provide an update.”
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