Rena environmental impacts to be discussed at Tauranga Café Scientifique

When container ship Rena ran aground on the Astrolabe reef last month, New Zealand was plunged into dealing with one of its biggest environmental incidents, the full extent of which is only now being quantified.

The impact on the Bay of Plenty coastal environment will be the focus of this month’s Café Scientifique in Tauranga, organised by Dr Kathrin Otrel-Cass of the University of Waikato’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The University’s Chair in Coastal Science Professor Chris Battershill will address some of the issues around the particular impacts on the ecosystem of our coastline and the cleanup processes, and will examine the fine ecological edge on which much of our coastal marine ecosystem balances.

The long term environmental impact is not fully known at this point in time, particularly as the event is far from over. The effects of oil and other contamination on the rocky reefs of Motiti and adjacent islets, as well as longer term effects in the estuaries (Maketu and parts of Tauranga Harbour) have yet to be identified.

Professor Battershill will be accompanied by Mr Andrew Berry who manages the salvage unit for Maritime New Zealand and who will provide an update on the salvage operation. Also attending will be Professor Mal Heron, who is chief researcher in the Marine Geophysical Laboratory at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. Professor Heron will comment on Australia’s recent ship grounding incidents.

This Café, the last for this year in Tauranga, is an opportunity to hear more about the impacts of heavy oil on the ecosystem, and the nature of cleaning up spilled oil.

Café Scientifique is a forum for debating science issues. It aims to promote public engagement with science and make science accessible, and, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology.

Café Scientifique will be held on Monday 21 November, 7.30pm, Alimento Café, 72 First Avenue, Tauranga. For more information please visit: http://sci.waikato.ac.nz/cafescientifique/

University of Waikato scientists will also speak at the Hamilton Cafe Scientifique the following night, November 22.