Testing of the area around the sunken stern of the shipwrecked Rena has confirmed fears of elevated level of contaminants around the wreck. The presence of contaminants around the site had been expected and the samples are now undergoing further testing. According to Professor Chris Battershill from the University of Waikato 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. Early indications are that the contamination is localised.
Officer of the Watch 