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Agreement No. CE 59/2020 (EP) Environmental Monitoring and Audit for Disposal
Facility to the East of Sha Chau (2021-2026) Investigation |
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Monthly EM&A Report for Contaminated Mud Pits to the East of Sha Chau
March 2022 |
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April 2022 |
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Civil Engineering and Development
Department |
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Mott MacDonald 3/F International Trade Tower 348 Kwun Tong Road Kwun Tong Kowloon Hong Kong T +852 2828 5757
mottmac.hk |
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Issue and Revision Record
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Revision |
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Checker |
Approver |
Description |
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A |
Apr 2022 |
Various |
Thomas Chan |
Eric Ching |
Revision A of Submission |
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Document reference: |
423134 | 06/05/12 | A |
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Information class: |
Standard |
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This document is issued for the party which commissioned it and for specific purposes connected with the above-captioned project only. It should not be relied upon by any other party or used for any other purpose. We accept no responsibility for the consequences of this document being relied upon by any other party, or being used for any other purpose, or containing any error or omission which is due to an error or omission in data supplied to us by other parties. This document contains confidential information and proprietary intellectual property. It should not be shown to other parties without consent from us and from the party which commissioned it. |
Contents
1.3 Details of Sampling and Laboratory Testing Activities
1.4 Details of Outstanding Sampling or Analysis
2 Brief Discussion of Monitoring Results for ESC CMP V
2.2 Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vb in March 2022
2.2.2 Laboratory Measurements for Suspended Solids (SS)
2.3 Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs in March 2022
2.4 Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vb in March 2022
2.5 Impact Water Quality Monitoring during Dredging Operations of ESC CMP Vc March 2022
3.1 Activities Scheduled for the Next Reporting Period
Tables
Figures
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Routine & Capping Water Quality Sampling Stations (Flood-Tide) for ESC CMPs |
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Appendices
1
Introduction
1.1
Background
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is managing a number of marine disposal facilities in Hong Kong waters, including the Contaminated Mud Pits (CMPs) to the East of Sha Chau (ESC) for the disposal of contaminated sediment, and various open-sea disposal grounds located to the South of Cheung Chau (SCC), East of Tung Lung Chau (ETLC) and East of Ninepins (ENP) for the disposal of uncontaminated sediment.
Environmental Permits (EPs) (Ref. No. EP-312/2008/A) was issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to the CEDD, the Permit Holder, on 28 November 2008 for the Project - Disposal of Contaminated Sediment Dredging, Management and Capping of Sediment Disposal Facility at Sha Chau.
Under the requirements of the EP, EM&A programmes which encompass water and sediment chemistry, fisheries assessment, tissue and whole body analysis, sediment toxicity and benthic recolonisation studies as set out in the EM&A Manuals are required to be implemented. EM&A programmes have been continuously carried out during the operation of the CMPs at ESC. A review of the collection and analysis of such environmental data from the monitoring programme demonstrated that there had not been any adverse environmental impacts resulting from disposal activities.[1],[2] The current programme will assess the impacts resulting from dredging, disposal and capping operations of CMP V.
A proposal on the change of number of sample replication of water quality and sediment monitoring as well as combination of routine water quality monitoring and water quality monitoring during capping operation was submitted to EPD and agreed by EPD on 3 December 2020. The proposed changes have been effective for the EM&A activities since December 2020. The latest sampling schedule is provided in Appendix A.
The present EM&A programme under Agreement No. CE 59/2020 (EP) covers the dredging, disposal and capping operations of the ESC CMP V (see Appendix A for the EM&A programme.) Detailed works schedule for ESC CMP V is shown in Table 1.1. In March 2022, the following works were undertaken:
● Dredging of accumulated natural deposits at ESC CMP Vc;
● Disposal of contaminated mud at ESC CMP Vb; and
● Capping operations at ESC CMP Vd.
Table 1.1: Works Schedule for ESC CMP V
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1.2
Reporting
Period
This Monthly EM&A Report for Contaminated Mud Pits to the East of Sha Chau March 2022 covers the EM&A activities for the reporting period of March 2022 (from 1 to 31 March 2022).
1.3
Details of Sampling and Laboratory Testing Activities
The following monitoring activities were undertaken for ESC CMP V during the reporting period:
● Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vb;
● Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs;
● Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vb;
● Water Quality Monitoring During Dredging of ESC CMP Vc; and
● Sediment Toxicity Tests of ESC CMPs.
Due to the logistic problem induced by the pandemic, the supply of Leptocheirus plumulosus adopted in testing programme of Sediment Toxicity Tests has been adversely affected. Therefore, there was no alternative but to carry out the test by Polychaete, Larvae (Bivalve), Shrimp (Juvenile) and Barnacle (Larvae) without Amphipod for the sediment samples.
1.4 Details of Outstanding Sampling or Analysis
No outstanding sampling remained for the reporting month (March 2022). The following analyses are in progress and will be presented in the corresponding quarterly report:
● Sediment Toxicity Tests of ESC CMPs in March 2021.
2
Brief Discussion of Monitoring Results for ESC CMP V
2.1
Introduction
This section presents a brief discussion of the results obtained from the following monitoring activities for ESC CMP V during the reporting period:
● Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vb;
● Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs;
● Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vb; and
● Water Quality Monitoring During Dredging of ESC CMP Vc.
2.2
Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vb
in March 2022
Water Column Profiling was undertaken at a total of two sampling stations (Upstream and Downstream stations) on 8 March 2022. The monitoring results have been assessed for compliance with the Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) set by Environmental Protection Department (EPD). This consists of a review of the EPD routine water quality monitoring data for the dry season period (November to March) of 2011 2020 from stations in the North Western Water Control Zone (WCZ), where the ESC CMPs are located.[3] For Salinity, the averaged value obtained from the Reference (Upstream) station was used for the basis as the WQO. Levels of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Turbidity were also assessed for compliance with the Action and Limit Levels (see Table B1 of Appendix B for details).
2.2.1
In-situ
Measurements
Analyses of results for March 2022 indicated that levels of Salinity, pH and DO complied with the WQOs at both Downstream and Upstream stations (Table B2 of Appendix B). Levels of DO and Turbidity at all stations complied with the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B2 of Appendix B).
2.2.2
Laboratory
Measurements for Suspended Solids (SS)
Analyses of results for March 2022 indicated that the SS level at both Downstream and Upstream stations complied with the WQO and the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B2 of Appendix B).
Overall, the monitoring results indicated that the mud disposal operation at ESC CMP Vb did not appear to cause any deterioration in water quality during this reporting period.
2.3
Routine
Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs in March 2022
Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs was undertaken on 10 March 2022. The monitoring results have been assessed for compliance with the WQOs (see Section 2.2 above for details). The monitoring results are shown in Tables B3 and B4 of Appendix B and Figures 1 to 10 of Appendix C. A total of ten (10) monitoring stations were sampled in March 2022 as shown in Figure 2.1.
2.3.1
In-situ
Measurements
Graphical presentation of the monitoring results (Temperature, DO, pH, Salinity and Turbidity) is shown in Figures 1 to 6 of Appendix C. Analyses of results indicated that the levels of pH, Salinity and DO complied with the WQOs at all stations in March 2022.
The levels of DO and Turbidity complied with the Action and Limit Levels at all stations (Table B3 of Appendix B; Figures 3 and 6 of Appendix C).
Overall, in-situ measurement results of the Routine Water Quality Monitoring indicated that the disposal and capping operation at ESC CMPs did not appear to cause any unacceptable impacts in water quality in March 2022.
2.3.2
Laboratory
Measurements
Laboratory analysis of samples obtained during the reporting period indicated that the concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc were detected in the samples at all stations and their concentrations of most metals and metalloids were generally similar across stations, except the concentration of Zinc which was higher at Intermediate (INF) station (Table B4 of Appendix B; Figure 7 of Appendix C).
For nutrients, concentrations of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) at most stations were compiled with the WQO (0.5 mg/L), except the concentrations were higher than the WQO at Reference (RFF) and Intermediate (INF) stations (Table B4 of Appendix B; Figure 8 of Appendix C). It should be noted that due to the effect of the Pearl River, the North Western WCZ has historically experienced higher levels of TIN.[4] Therefore, the exceedances of TIN WQO at these stations are unlikely to be caused by the disposal operation at ESC CMPs. The concentration of Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N) was higher at Ma Wan station (Table B4 of Appendix B; Figure 8 of Appendix C). The concentration of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) was lower at Impact (IPF) station (Table B4 of Appendix B; Figure 9 of Appendix C).
Analyses of results for the reporting period indicated that the SS levels at all stations complied with the dry season WQO (13.1 mg/L) and the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B4 of Appendix B; Figure 10 of Appendix C).
Overall, results of the Routine Water Quality Monitoring indicated that the disposal and capping operation at ESC CMPs did not appear to cause any unacceptable deterioration in water quality during the reporting period. Detailed statistical analysis will be presented in the Quarterly EM&A Report to investigate any spatial and temporal trends of potential concern.
2.4 Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of
ESC CMP Vb in March 2022
Monitoring locations for Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry for ESC CMP Vb are shown in Figure 2.2. A total of six (6) monitoring stations were sampled on 3 March 2022.
The concentrations of most inorganic contaminants were lower than the Lower Chemical Exceedance Levels (LCELs) at most stations, except for Copper, Zinc, Arsenic and Silver. The concentration of Copper was higher than the Upper Chemical Exceedance Level (UCEL) at Active-Pit station ESC-NPCB. The concentrations of Zinc and Silver were higher than the LCEL at Active-Pit station ESC-NPCB. The concentrations of Arsenic were higher than the LCEL at Near-Pit station ESC-NNCA, Pit-Edge station ESC-NECA and Active-Pit station ESC-NPCA (Figures 11 and 12 of Appendix C).
Whilst the average concentration of Arsenic in the Earths crust is generally ~2mg/kg, significantly higher Arsenic concentrations (median = 14 mg/kg) have been recorded in Hong Kongs onshore sediments.[5] It is presumed that the natural concentrations of Arsenic are similar in onshore and offshore sediments,[6] and relatively high Arsenic levels may thus occur throughout Hong Kong. Therefore, the LCEL exceedances of Arsenic are unlikely to be caused by the disposal operations at ESC CMP Vb but rather as a result of naturally occurring deposits.
Considering that the higher levels of Copper, Zinc and Silver occurred within one Active-Pit station only but not at the Pit-Edge and Near-Pit stations, there is no evidence indicating any unacceptable environmental impacts to sediment quality as a result of the contaminated mud disposal operations at ESC CMP Vb in the reporting month.
For organic contaminants, the concentration of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) was higher at Active-Pit station ESC-NPCB during the reporting period (Figure 13 of Appendix C). The concentrations of Tributyltin (TBT), Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), Low Molecular Weight and High Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were below the limit of reporting at all stations during the reporting period.
Overall, there is no evidence indicating any unacceptable environmental impacts to sediment quality outside the pit area as a result of the contaminated mud disposal operations at ESC CMP Vb during the reporting period.
Statistical analysis will be undertaken and presented in the corresponding Quarterly EM&A Report to investigate whether there are any unacceptable impacts in the area caused by the contaminated mud disposal.
2.5 Impact Water Quality Monitoring during Dredging Operations of ESC CMP Vc March 2022
Dredging operation at ESC CMP Vc commenced on 20 February 2022. With the development of pandemic situation in Hong Kong, the dredging operations were suspended after 24 February 2022 and resumed on 12 March 2022. Water quality monitoring was conducted during the reporting period on 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30 March 2022. During each survey day, monitoring was conducted during both mid-ebb and mid-flood tides at two Reference (Upstream) stations and five Impact (Downstream) stations around the dredging operations at ESC CMP Vc. Monitoring was also conducted at one Sensitive Receiver station situated in Ma Wan. A total of eight (8) stations were monitored and locations of the sampling stations are shown in Figure 2.3.
Monitoring results are presented in Table B5
of Appendix
B. Daily dredging volume in March 2022 is reported in Appendix
D. Levels of DO, Turbidity and SS complied with the Action and Limit
Levels (see Table B1 of Appendix
B for details). The results indicated that the dredging operations at
ESC CMP Vc did not appear to cause any unacceptable
deterioration in water quality during this reporting period. Therefore, no
further action, except for those recommended in the Environmental Permit
(EP-312/2008/A), are considered necessary for the dredging operations.
3
Future Key Issues
3.1
Activities
Scheduled for the Next Reporting Period
The following monitoring activities will be conducted in the next reporting period of April 2022 for ESC CMP V (see Appendix A for the sampling schedule):
● Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vb;
● Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs;
● Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vb; and
● Water Quality Monitoring During Dredging of ESC CMP Vc.
3.2
Study Programme
A summary of the Study Programme is presented in Appendix E.
[1] ERM (2013) Final Report. Submitted under Agreement No. CE 4/2009 (EP) Environmental Monitoring and Audit for Contaminated Mud Pit at East Sha Chau. For CEDD.
[2] ERM (2017) Final Report. Submitted under Agreement No. CE 23/2012 (EP) Environmental Monitoring and Audit for Contaminated Mud Pits to the South of The Brothers and at East Sha Chau (2012 - 2017). For CEDD.
[5] Sewell RJ (1999) Geochemical Atlas of Hong Kong. Geotechnical Engineering Office, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
[6] Whiteside PGD (2000) Natural geochemistry and contamination of marine sediments in Hong Kong. In: The Urban Geology of Hong Kong (ed. Page A & Reels SJ). Geological Society of Hong Kong Bulletin No. 6, p109-121