Unsterilised sampling container lid transports dead nuisance algae to rivers in New Zealand

The Biosecurity Minister of the New Zealand Government recently announced, that the source of dead didymo cells found in four of New Zealand’s North Island rivers in October was almost certainly thought to be caused by contamination of lab supplied sample containers.

Investigations that have followed reports of the findings, found that bottle lids sent to Turangi were contaminated with microscopic amounts of dead didymo cells. The sample container lids were held in storage in a laboratory at the NIWA facility, prior to being sent to the North Island for use in lab sampling. At the time, the laboratory was being used to weigh dried, freeze-dried, and dead didymo samples as part of other research projects. The container lids were then used to seal bottles used to collect water samples.

Both the MAF and NIWA investigation reports recommended that additional, more stringent measures should ideally be put in place for the storage and supply of laboratory equipment used in didymo sampling.