Agreement No. CE 63/2016 (EP)

Environmental Monitoring and Audit
for Disposal Facility to the East of Sha Chau (2017-2020) - Investigation

MONTHLY EM&A REPORT FOR August 2019

1.1                               Background

1.1.1                          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 South of The Brothers (SB) and to the East of Sha Chau (ESC) for the disposal of contaminated sediment, and 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.  Two Environmental Permits (EPs), EP-312/2008/A and EP-427/2011/A, were issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to the CEDD, the Permit Holder, on 28 November 2008 and 23 December 2011 for the Dredging, Management and Capping of Contaminated Sediment Disposal Facilities at ESC CMP V and SB CMPs, respectively.

1.1.2                          Under the requirements of the two EPs for ESC CMP V and SB CMPs, 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 and SB.  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 as well as capping operations of SB CMPs.

1.1.3                          The present EM&A programme under Agreement No. CE 63/2016 (EP) covers the dredging, disposal and capping operations of the ESC CMP V as well as the capping operations of the SB CMPs (see Annex A for the EM&A programme).  The scheduled EM&A programme for SB CMPs was completed in December 2018.  Detailed works schedule for ESC CMP V is shown in Figure 1.1.  In August 2019, disposal of contaminated mud at ESC CMP Vd was undertaken.

 

Figure 1.1      Works Schedule for ESC CMP V

1.2                               Reporting Period

1.2.1                           This Monthly EM&A Report for August 2019 covers the EM&A activities for the reporting month of August 2019.

1.3                                Details of Sampling and Laboratory Testing Activities

1.3.1                             The following monitoring activities were undertaken for ESC CMP V in August 2019:

·     Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd;

·     Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs;

·     Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd;

·     Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP V;

·     Sediment Toxicity Tests of ESC CMP V;

·     Demersal Trawling for ESC CMPs; and

·     Sediment Chemistry after a Major Storm of ESC CMP V.

1.4                               Details of Outstanding Sampling and/or Analysis

1.4.1                           No outstanding sampling remained for August 2019. 

1.4.2                           The following laboratory analyses were still in progress during the preparation of this monthly report and hence is not presented in this monthly report:

·     Laboratory analyses of sediment samples collected for Cumulative Impact Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP V in August 2019.

1.4.3                          The following analyses are in progress and will be presented in the corresponding quarterly report:

·     Laboratory analyses for Sediment Toxicity Test of ESC CMP V in August 2019; and

·     Species identification of the biota samples collected from Demersal Trawling for ESC CMPs in August 2019.

1.5                                Brief Discussion of the Monitoring Results for ESC CMP V

1.5.1                                                       Brief discussion of the monitoring results of the following activities for ESC CMP V is presented in this Monthly EM&A Report for August 2019:

·     Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd;

·     Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMPs;

·     Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd; and

·     Sediment Chemistry after a Major Storm of ESC CMP V.

1.5.2                           Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd – August 2019

1.5.3                          Water Column Profiling was undertaken at a total of two sampling stations (Upstream and Downstream stations) on 13 August 2019.  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 2008 - 2017 from stations in the Northwestern 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 Annex B for details).

In-situ Measurements

1.5.4                          Analyses of results for August 2019 indicated that levels of Salinity, pH and DO complied with the WQOs at both Downstream and Upstream stations (Table B2 of Annex B).  Levels of DO and Turbidity at all stations complied with the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B2 of Annex B).

Laboratory Measurements for Suspended Solids (SS)

1.5.5                          Analyses of results for August 2019 indicated that the SS levels at both Downstream and Upstream stations were complied with the WQO and the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B2 of Annex B).   

1.5.6                                                                  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.

1.5.7                           Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMP V – August 2019

1.5.8                          Routine Water Quality Monitoring of ESC CMP V was undertaken on 8 August 2019.  The monitoring results have been assessed for compliance with the WQOs (see Section 1.5.3 for details).  The monitoring results are shown in Tables B3 and B4 of Annex B and Figures 1 - 10 of Annex C.  A total of ten (10) monitoring stations were sampled in August 2019 as shown in Figure 1.2.

In-situ Measurements

1.5.9                          Graphical presentation of the monitoring results (Temperature, DO, pH, Salinity and Turbidity) is shown in Figures 1 - 6 of Annex CAnalyses of results for August 2019 indicated that the levels of pH, Salinity and DO generally complied with the WQOs at most stations (Impact, Intermediate, Reference and Ma Wan stations) in August 2019, except higher levels of Salinity were recorded at Ma Wan station. 

1.5.10                       The levels of DO and Turbidity complied with the Action and Limit Levels at all stations (Table B3 of Annex B; Figures 3 and 6 of Annex C). 

1.5.11                        Overall, in-situ measurement results of the Routine Water Quality Monitoring indicated that the disposal operation at ESC CMP Vd did not appear to cause any unacceptable impacts in water quality in August 2019. 

Laboratory Measurements

1.5.12                                                              Laboratory analysis of August 2019 results indicated that concentrations of Cadmium, Mercury and Silver were below their limit of reporting at all stations.  Arsenic, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc were detected in August 2019 samples at most stations and the concentrations of these metals and metalloids were similar amongst the stations (Table B4 of Annex B; Figure 7 of Annex C).    

1.5.13                                                              For nutrients, concentrations of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) at all stations in August 2019 were higher than the WQO (0.5 mg/L) (Table B4 of Annex B; Figure 8 of Annex 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 CMP Vd.  Concentrations of Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N) and 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) were generally similar amongst the stations in August 2019 (Table B4 of Annex B; Figure 8 and 9 of Annex C). 

1.5.14                                                              Analyses of results for August 2019 indicated that the SS levels at all stations were lower than the WQO (10.8 mg/L for wet season) and complied with the Action and Limit Levels (Tables B1 and B4 of Annex B; Figure 10 of Annex C). 

1.5.15                                                              Overall, results of the Routine Water Quality Monitoring indicated that the disposal operation at ESC CMP Vd did not appear to cause any unacceptable deterioration in water quality in August 2019.  Detailed statistical analysis will be presented in the Quarterly Report to investigate any spatial and temporal trends of potential concern. 

 

1.5.16                         Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP Vd – August 2019

1.5.17                                                                Monitoring locations for Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry for ESC CMP Vd are shown in Figure 1.3.  A total of six (6) monitoring stations were sampled on 5 August 2019.

1.5.18                                                                The concentrations of most inorganic contaminants were lower than the Lower Chemical Exceedance Levels (LCELs) at most stations, except concentrations of Arsenic and Copper were slightly higher than the LCEL at Active Pit stations ESC-NPAB and ESC-NPAA, respectively (Figures 11 and 12 of Annex C).  Whilst the average concentration of Arsenic in the Earth’s crust is generally ~2mg/kg, significantly higher Arsenic concentrations (median = 14 mg/kg) have been recorded in Hong Kong’s 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 LECL exceedances of Arsenic are unlikely to be caused by the disposal operations at ESC CMP Vd but rather as a result of naturally occurring deposits.  In addition, slight exceedance of Copper was recorded within one Active-Pit station ESC-NPAA only but not at the Pit-Edge and Near-Pit stations.

1.5.19                                                                For organic contaminants, the concentrations of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) varied between stations in August 2019 and were generally higher at Active-Pit stations ESC-NPAA and ESC-NPAB (Figure 13 of Annex C).  The concentrations of Tributyltin (TBT) were higher at Active-Pit station ESC-NPAA in August 2019 (Figure 14 of Annex C).  Low Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) , Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and 4,4’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations were below the limit of reporting at all stations.  High Molecular Weight PAHs were detected at Near-Pit station ESC-NNAB and Pit-Edge ESC-NEAA in the reporting month (Figure 15 of Annex C).

1.5.20                                                                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 August 2019.  Statistical analysis will be undertaken and presented in the corresponding quarterly report to investigate whether there are any unacceptable impacts in the area caused by the contaminated mud disposal.

1.5.21                         Sediment Chemistry after a Major Storm of ESC CMP V – August 2019

Sampling for Sediment Chemistry after a Major Storm Event was conducted at nine (9) monitoring stations (see Figure 1.4 for the locations of the monitoring stations) on 7 August 2019 after the visit of tropical cyclone Wipha, which led to the issue of No. 8 Gale Signal on 31 July 2019.  The track of Wipha are shown in Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5      Track of Tropical Cyclone Wipha (Source: Hong Kong Observatory)

1.5.22                       Analyses of results for the Sediment Chemistry after a Major Storm indicated that the concentrations of most inorganic contaminants were below the LCEL, except Arsenic at Capped Pit stations ESC-RCA and ESC-RCB, Mid-field stations ESC-RMA and ESC-RMB and Near-field station ESC-RNB as well as Copper at Ma Wan Station in August 2019 (Figures 16 and 17 of Annex C). 

1.5.23                       As mentioned in Section 1.5.18, it is presumed that the natural concentrations of Arsenic are similar in onshore and offshore sediments, and relatively high Arsenic levels may thus occur throughout Hong Kong.  Therefore, the slight exceedances of LCEL for Arsenic are unlikely to be caused by the disposal of contaminated mud at ESC CMPs but rather as a result of naturally occurring deposits.  For the exceedance of Copper, it was only recorded at Ma Wan Station but not the other monitoring stations.

1.5.24                        Overall, there appeared to be no evidence showing the failure of ESC CMP V in retaining disposed mud or causing contamination of sediments after the major storm event in August 2019. 

1.6                               Activities Scheduled for the Next Month

1.6.1                           The following monitoring activities will be conducted in the next monthly period of September 2019 for ESC CMP V (see Annex A for the sampling schedule ([7])):

·     Water Column Profiling of ESC CMP Vd; and

·     Pit Specific Sediment Chemistry of ESC CMP V.

1.7                               Study Programme

1.7.1                           A summary of the Study Programme is presented in Annex D.


 



([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.

([3])        http://epic.epd.gov.hk/EPICRIVER/marine/?lang=en

([4])        http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/marine_quality/1986-2005/textonly/eng/index.htm

([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

(1)    The scheduled EM&A Programme for SB CMPs was completed in December 2018.