Agreement No. CE 23/2012 (EP)
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
for Contaminated Mud Pits to the South of The Brothers
and at
46th MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR June 2016
1.1
Background
1.1.1
Since early 1990s, contaminated sediment ([1]) arising from various construction works
(e.g. dredging and reclamation projects) in Hong Kong
has been disposed of at a series of seabed pits at East of Sha
Chau (ESC). In
late 2008, a review indicated that the existing and planned facilities at ESC
would not be able to meet the disposal demand after 2012. In order to meet this demand, the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) decided to implement a new
contained aquatic disposal (CAD) ([2]) facility at the South of The Brothers
(SB CMPs) which had been under consideration for a
number of years.
1.1.2
The environmental acceptability of the construction and
operation of the Project had been confirmed by findings of the associated
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study completed in 2005 under Agreement No. CE 12/2002(EP) ([3]).
The Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved this EIA report
under the Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) (EIAO) in September 2005 (EIA Register No.: AEIAR-089/2005).
1.1.3
In accordance with the EIA recommendation, prior to
commencement of construction works for the SB CMPs,
the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) undertook a detailed
review and update of the EIA findings for the SB site ([4]). Findings of the EIA review undertaken in
2009/ 2010 confirmed that the construction and operation of the SB site had
been predicted to be environmentally acceptable.
1.1.4
Environmental
Permits (EPs)
(EP-312/2008/A and EP-427/2011A) were issued by the Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) to the CEDD, the Permit Holder, on 28 November 2008
for ESC CMP V and on 23 December 2011 for SB CMPs,
respectively. Under the requirements of
the EPs, an Environmental
Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme as set out in the EM&A Manuals ([5])
([6])
is required to be implemented for the CMPs.
1.1.5
The present EM&A programme under Agreement No. CE 23/2012 (EP) covers the dredging,
disposal and capping operations of the SB CMPs
as well as ESC CMPs. Detailed works schedule for both CMPs is shown in Figure 1.1. In June 2016, the following works were being
undertaken at the CMPs:
· Disposal of contaminated mud at ESC CMP Vd; and
· Capping operation at SB CMP 2.
Figure 1.1 Works
Schedule for ESC CMPs and SB CMPs
1.2
Reporting
Period
1.2.1
This 46th Monthly Progress Report covers the EM&A activities for the reporting month of June 2016.
1.3
Details
of Sampling and Laboratory Testing Activities
1.3.1
The following monitoring activities have been undertaken for
ESC CMPs in June 2016:
· Water Column Profiling of
ESC CMP Vd was
undertaken on 6 June 2016;
· Pit Specific Sediment
Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd was
undertaken on 7 June 2016; and
· Cumulative
Impact Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd
was undertaken on 8 June 2016;
1.3.2
The following monitoring
activities have been undertaken for SB CMPs in June 2016:
·
Water Quality Monitoring during Capping Operations of SB CMP 2 was undertaken on 2 June 2016;
1.4
Details of Outstanding Sampling and/or
Analysis
1.4.1
No outstanding sampling and analysis remained for June 2016.
1.5
Brief
Discussion of the Monitoring Results for ESC CMPs
1.5.1
Brief discussion of the
monitoring results of the following activities for ESC CMPs
is presented in this 46th Monthly Progress Report:
·
Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd in June 2016; and
·
Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd in June 2016; and
·
Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd
in June 2016.
1.5.2
Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP
Vd – June 2016
1.5.3
Monitoring locations for Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry for ESC CMP Vd are shown in Figure 1.2. A total of six (6) monitoring stations were sampled
in June 2016.
1.5.4
The concentrations of all inorganic contaminants
were lower than the Lower Chemical Exceedance
Level (LCEL) at all stations, except Copper (Figures
1 and 2 of Annex B). In June 2016, Copper exceeded
the LCEL at Active Pit station ESC-NPAA (Figure
1 of Annex B).
1.5.5
For organic contaminants,
the concentrations of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were similar amongst most stations
in June 2016 (Figure 3 of Annex B). In June 2016, Tributyltin (TBT)
concentrations were higher at Active Pit station ESC-NPAA (Figure
4 of Annex B). Low and High Molecular Weight Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs), Total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and
4,4’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations were below the limit
of reporting at all stations in June 2016.
1.5.6
Higher Copper
concentrations were recorded within the Active Pit station only which were
receiving contaminated mud during the reporting month.
Therefore, there is no evidence indicating any
dispersal of contaminants from the Active Pit due to the disposal activities.
1.5.7
Overall, there is no
evidence indicating any unacceptable environmental impacts to sediment quality
as a result of the contaminated mud disposal operations at ESC CMP Vd in June 2016. Statistical
analysis will be undertaken and presented in the quarterly report to
investigate whether there are any unacceptable impacts in the area caused by
the contaminated mud disposal.
1.5.8
Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry of
ESC CMP Vd – June 2016
1.5.9
Monitoring locations for Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry for ESC CMP Vd are shown in Figure 1.3. A total of nine (9) monitoring stations were
sampled in June 2016.
1.5.10
Analyses
of results for the Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry
Monitoring indicated that the
concentrations of all inorganic contaminants were below the LCEL in June 2016 (Figures 5 and
6 of Annex B).
1.5.11
For organic contaminants, concentrations of TOC were observed to be similar among all stations (Figure 7 of Annex
B).
Concentrations of TBTs were recorded to be
higher at Ma Wan station (Figure 8 of Annex B). Total DDT, 4,4’-DDE, Total PCBs as well as
Low and High Molecular Weight PAHs were recorded below the
limit of reporting at all stations.
1.5.12
Overall, there is no evidence
indicating any unacceptable environmental impacts to sediment quality as a
result of the contaminated mud disposal operations at ESC CMP Vd in June 2016. Statistical
analysis will be undertaken and presented in the quarterly report to
investigate whether there are any unacceptable impacts in the area caused by
the contaminated mud disposal.
1.5.13
Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd
– June 2016
1.5.14
Water Column Profiling was undertaken on 6 June 2016. 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 wet season period (April to October) of 2005 - 2014 from
stations in the Northwestern Water Control Zone
(WCZ), where the ESC CMPs are located ([7]). For Salinity, the averaged value obtained
from the Reference stations 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 C1 of Annex C for details).
In-situ Measurements
1.5.15
Analyses
of results for June 2016 indicated that levels of Salinity, DO and pH
complied with the WQOs at both Downstream and
Upstream stations (Table C2 of Annex C). In addition, DO
and Turbidity at all stations complied with the Action and Limit Levels (Table C2 of Annex C).
Laboratory Measurements for Suspended Solids (SS)
1.5.16
Analyses
of results for June 2016 indicated that the SS levels were higher than the WQO
at Downstream station. Both Upstream and
Downstream stations complied with the Action and Limit Levels (Table C2 of Annex C).
Overall, the
monitoring results indicated that the mud disposal operation at ESC CMP Vd did not appear to cause any deterioration in water
quality during this reporting period.
1.6
Brief Discussion of the
Monitoring Results for SB CMPs
1.6.1
Brief discussion of the monitoring results of the following
activities for SB CMPs is presented in this 46th
Monthly Progress Report:
· Water Quality Monitoring
during Capping Operations of SB CMP 2 in June 2016.
1.6.2
Water Quality Monitoring during Capping of SB CMP 2 – June 2016
1.6.3
The
monitoring results obtained during June 2016 sampling in the wet season
have been assessed for compliance with the WQOs (see Section 1.5.13 for
details). Levels of DO and Turbidity were also assessed for compliance
with the Action and Limit Levels (see Table C3 of Annex
C for
details). A total
of fourteen (14) monitoring stations were sampled in June 2016 as
shown in Figure 1.4. Graphical
presentation of the monitoring results is provided in Annex B.
In-situ Measurements
1.6.4
Graphical
presentation of the monitoring results (Temperature, DO, pH, Salinity and
Turbidity) is shown in Figures 9-14 of Annex
B. Levels of pH at all stations in June 2016
complied with the WQO (Table C3 of Annex
C; Figure 9 of Annex B). The levels of
Turbidity at all stations complied with the Action and Limit levels in June 2016 (Table C3 of Annex C; Figure 10 of Annex B). DO at all stations also complied with the WQO
and the Action and Limit levels in June 2016 (Table C3 of Annex C; Figure 12 of Annex B).
Levels of Salinity
at most stations exceeded with the WQO except at Impact stations. The lower Salinities recorded at Tai Ho Bay 1 and Tai Ho Bay 2 are
likely due to the close proximity of the nearby streams, which release large
amount of freshwater runoff in the area during flooding. The Salinities at other stations were higher or above the WQO as they were located further away
from the Tai Ho Bay and Reference stations which experienced less freshwater
runoff from the nearby streams and
Laboratory Measurement
1.6.5
Concentrations of SS were recorded higher than the WQO (11.1 mg/L for wet season) at Tai Mo To, Tai Ho Bay 1 and Tai Ho Bay 2 stations
in June 2016 (Table C4 of Annex C; Figure
15 of Annex B). Levels of SS at all stations generally
complied with the Action and Limit Levels in June 2016, except the exceedance in Tai Mo To station. Since Tai Mo To station is located further
away from the works area of CMP 2 when compared to all other monitoring
stations at which the levels of SS did not exceed the Action and Limits Levels
during the same tidal period, the exceedance were not
considered as indicating any unacceptable impacts from the capping operations
to cause any deterioration in water quality during this reporting period. (Table C3 of Annex C).
1.6.6
For nutrients, concentrations of NH3 were relatively similar amongst all stations (Table C4 of Annex C; Figure 16 of Annex B).
TIN at most stations exceeded the WQO of 0.5 mg/L, except Ma Wan station
in June 2016
(Table C4 of Annex C; Figure 17
of Annex B). It should be noted that due to effect of
Pearl River, the North Western WCZ has historically experienced higher levels
of TIN ([8]).
Since TIN concentrations were recorded to be similar amongst all stations, the exceedances
of TIN WQO at all stations are unlikely to be caused by the disposal operation
at CMP 2. Levels of BOD5 appeared to be higher at Tai Ho
Bay 2 station in June 2016. (Table C4 of Annex C; Figure
18 of Annex B).
1.6.7
Overall, the monitoring results indicated that the capping operation at CMP 2 did not appear
to cause any unacceptable deterioration in water quality in June 2016. Statistical analysis will be undertaken and presented in the
quarterly report to investigate whether the capping operations at CMP 2 is
causing any unacceptable impacts in water quality of the area.
1.7
Activities Scheduled for the Next Month
1.7.1
The following monitoring activities will be conducted in the next
monthly period of July 2016 for ESC CMPs:
·
Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd;
·
Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMP Vd;
·
Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd; and
·
Demersal Trawling of ESC CMP Vd.