4.1
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP are summarized in Table 4.1 and 4.2 respectively. Graphical presentations of 1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring results
are shown in Appendices B and C respectively.
Table 4.1 Summary Table of 1-hour TSP Monitoring
Results during the Reporting Period
|
Month |
Monitoring Station |
Concentration (µg/m3) |
Action
Level, µg/m3 |
Limit
Level, µg/m3 |
|
|
Average |
Range |
||||
|
September 2014 |
AMS1 |
29 |
11 - 77 |
381 |
500 |
|
AMS4 |
42 |
8 - 148 |
352 |
||
|
October 2014 |
AMS1 |
80 |
18 – 202 |
381 |
|
|
AMS4 |
72 |
20 – 195 |
352 |
||
|
November 2014 |
AMS1 |
62 |
25 – 160 |
381 |
|
|
AMS4 |
60 |
19 – 143 |
352 |
||
Table 4.2 Summary
Table of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results during the Reporting Period
|
Month |
Monitoring Station |
Concentration (µg/m3) |
Action
Level, µg/m3 |
Limit
Level, µg/m3 |
|
|
Average |
Range |
||||
|
September 2014 |
AMS1 |
45 |
19 – 74 |
170 |
260 |
|
AMS4 |
46 |
18 - 68 |
171 |
||
|
October 2014 |
AMS1 |
76 |
58 – 93 |
170 |
|
|
AMS4 |
80 |
65 – 103 |
171 |
||
|
November 2014 |
AMS1 |
90 |
52 – 107 |
170 |
|
|
AMS4 |
79 |
44 – 100 |
171 |
||
4.2
According to our field observations, the major dust source identified at
the designated air quality monitoring stations in the reporting period are as
follows:
Table
4.3 Observation at Dust
Monitoring Stations
|
Monitoring Station |
Major Dust Source |
|
AMS1 |
Exhaust from marine traffic |
|
AMS4 |
N/A |
4.3
The wind data monitoring results were attached in the Monthly EM&A
Reports
4.4
The noise monitoring results are summarized in Table 4.4. Graphical presentations of noise
monitoring are shown in Appendix D.
Table 4.4 Summary
Table of Noise
Monitoring Results during the Reporting Period
|
Month |
Monitoring Station |
Noise Level, Leq
(30min) dB(A) |
Limit
Level |
|
|
Average |
Range |
|||
|
September 2014 |
NMS1 |
70 |
67 - 71 |
75 dB(A) |
|
NMS4 |
60 |
53 – 64 |
||
|
October 2014 |
NMS1 |
70 |
64 - 72 |
|
|
NMS4 |
59 |
52 – 61 |
||
|
November 2014 |
NMS1 |
69 |
68 - 70 |
|
|
NMS4 |
61 |
57 – 64 |
||
Remark: +3dB(A) Façade correction included
4.5
According to our field observations, the major noise source identified
at the designated noise monitoring stations in the reporting period are as
follows:
Table 4.5 Observation
at Noise
Monitoring Stations
|
Monitoring Station |
Major Noise Source |
|
NMS1 |
Air
traffic & marine traffic noise |
|
NMS4 |
Air
traffic & marine traffic noise |
4.6
The graphical presentation of water quality at the monitoring stations
is shown in Appendix E.
4.7
Water quality impact sources during the water quality monitoring were
the construction activities of the Contract, nearby construction activities by
other parties and near by operating vessels by other
parties.
Summary
of survey effort and dolphin sightings
4.8
During the period of September
to November 2014, six sets of systematic line-transect vessel surveys were conducted to
cover all transect lines in WL survey area twice per month.
4.9
From these surveys, a total of 195.98 km of survey effort was collected, with 86.8% of the total survey effort being conducted
under favourable weather conditions (i.e. Beaufort
Sea State 3 or below with good visibility). The total survey effort conducted on primary lines was 128.90 km, while the effort on secondary lines was 67.08km.
Survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were both considered
as on-effort survey data. Summary table of the
survey effort is shown in Appendix I of Appendix F.
4.10
During the six sets of monitoring surveys in September
to November 2014, a total of 24
groups of 77 Chinese White
Dolphins were sighted. All sightings were made during on-effort search. Sixteen on-effort sightings were made on primary
lines, while the other
on-effort sightings were made on secondary lines. Summary table of the dolphin sightings is shown in Appendix II of Appendix F.
Distribution
4.11
Distribution of dolphin sightings made during
monitoring surveys in September to November
is shown in Figure 1 of Appendix F. The
dolphin groups were evenly distributed throughout the WL survey area, with no
particular concentration of sightings. It appeared that dolphins occurred more
often near the western territorial boundary than in inshore waters.
4.12
Sighting distribution of dolphins in the
present quarter was similar to the one during the baseline period, with some
subtle differences. There appeared
to be fewer dolphins sighted near Tai O Peninsula, Kai Kung Shan and Fan Lau
during the present monitoring quarter when compared to the dolphin distribution
record in the baseline period.
4.13
None of the dolphin sightings was made close
to the HKLR09 alignment in WL survey area during the present quarter (Figure 1 of Appendix F).
Encounter
rate
4.14
During the three-month impact phase
monitoring period, the encounter rates of Chinese White Dolphins deduced from
the survey effort and on-effort sighting data from the primary transect lines
under favourable conditions (Beaufort 3 or below) from
West Lantau survey area are shown in Table
4.6. The average encounter
rates deduced from the six sets of surveys from September
to November 2014 were also compared with the ones deduced
from the baseline monitoring period (September – November 2011) (Table 4.7).
4.15
In WL survey area, the average dolphin
encounter rates (ER(STG) and ER(ANI)) in the present three-month study period
were both higher than the ones recorded in the three-month baseline period (Table 4.7), indicating the dolphin usage during this
impact phase monitoring period in this survey area were more intensive when
compared to the baseline phase.
Table 4.6 Dolphin encounter rates (sightings
per 100 km of survey effort) during the impact monitoring period (September – November 2014)
|
Survey Area |
Dolphin Monitoring |
Encounter rate (STG) |
Encounter rate (ANI) |
|
Primary Lines Only |
Primary Lines Only |
||
|
West Lantau |
(10 September 2014) |
9.4 |
56.7 |
|
Set 2
(23 September 2014) |
26.9 |
62.8 |
|
|
Set 3 |
9.2 |
64.7 |
|
|
Set 4 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
|
Set 5 |
17.8 |
35.7 |
|
|
Set 6 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Table 4.7 Comparison of average dolphin
encounter rates from impact monitoring period (September – November 2014) and baseline
monitoring period (September-November 2011)
|
|
(no. of on-effort dolphin sightings per 100 km of survey effort) |
Encounter rate (ANI) (no. of dolphins from all
on-effort sightings per 100 km of survey effort) |
||
|
September-November 2014 |
September- November 2011 |
September-November 2014 |
September- November 2011 |
|
|
West Lantau |
10.57
± 10.45 |
16.43 ± 7.70 |
36.63
± 30.19 |
60.50 ± 38.47 |
4.16
In
WL survey area, the average dolphin encounter rates (ER(STG)
and ER(ANI)) in the present three-month study period were much lower
(reductions of 35.67% and 39.5% respectively) than the ones recorded in the three-month
baseline period (Table 4.7),
indicating a noticeable decline in dolphin usage of this survey area during the
present construction period (Table 4.7). In fact, the present quarter recorded
the lowest ER(STG) and ER(ANI) since the commencement
of HKLR09 works in WL waters.
4.17
A one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine
whether there were any significant differences in the average encounter rates
between the baseline and impact monitoring periods. For the comparison between the baseline
period and the present quarter (seventh quarter of the impact phase), the p-value for the differences in
average dolphin encounter rates of STG and ANI were 0.294 and 0.259 respectively. Therefore, no
significant difference in dolphin encounter rate was detected between the
baseline period and the present quarter.
4.18
Another comparison was made between the
baseline period and the cumulative quarters in the impact phase (i.e. first seven quarters of the impact phase), and the
p-value for the differences in average dolphin encounter rates of STG and ANI
were 0.896
and 0.915 respectively. As a result, no significant difference
was found in the dolphin encounter rates between the baseline period and the
cumulative quarters in the impact phase.
4.19
To
facilitate the comparison with the AFCD long-term monitoring results, the
encounter rates were also calculated for the present quarter using both primary
and secondary survey effort. The
encounter rates of sightings (STG) and dolphins (ANI) in WL were 11.8 sightings
and 40.6 dolphins per 100 km of survey effort respectively during the present
quarter.
Group
size
4.20
Group size of Chinese White
Dolphins ranged from 1-13 individuals per group in WL survey area
between September and
November 2014.
The average dolphin group sizes from these three months were compared
with the one deduced from the baseline period in September to November 2011, as
shown in Table 4.8. The average dolphin group size in the WL
region during September
to November 2014 was slightly higher than the ones
recorded in the 3-month baseline period (Table
4.8). Half of the dolphin groups were composed of 1-3 dolphins, but there
were also eight groups with more than 5 animals per group, and one group with
over 10 animals.
Table 4.8 Comparison of average dolphin
group sizes from impact monitoring period (September – November 2014) and baseline
monitoring period (September-November 2011)
|
|
Average Dolphin Group
Size |
|
|
September to November 2014 |
September to November 2014 |
|
|
West Lantau |
3.88 ± 2.69 (n = 24) |
3.63 ± 2.97 (n = 46) |
4.21
Distribution of dolphins with the
larger groups during September
to November 2014 is shown in Figure 3 of Appendix F. These groups were scattered to the
southwest of Tai O Peninsula, near the territorial border and near Fan Lau. This
was quite different from the baseline period, when the larger dolphin groups mostly
occurred to the northwest of Tai O Peninsula (near the bridge alignment) as
well as near Kai Kung Shan and Peaked Hill (Figure 3 of Appendix F).
Habitat
use
4.22
From September to November 2014, the most heavily utilized habitats by the dolphins were mainly
found along the western territorial border off Tai O Peninsula, Peaked Hill and
Fan Lau (Figures 4a and 4b of Appendix F). Conversely, their
densities were much lower in the inshore waters. However, it should be noted that the
amount of survey effort collected in each grid during the three-month period was fairly low
(6 units of survey effort for most grids), and therefore the habitat use
pattern derived from the three-month dataset should be treated with
caution. A more complete picture of
dolphin habitat use pattern will be presented when more survey effort for each
grid will be collected throughout the impact phase monitoring programme.
4.23
When compared with the habitat
use pattern recorded during the baseline period, it appears that dolphin
densities were more evenly spread during the baseline period than in the
present impact phase monitoring period (Figure
5 of Appendix F). Moreover, dolphin densities appeared to be much lower around Tai O
Peninsula, near Kai Kung Shan and Peaked Hill during the present quarter than
in the baseline period.
Mother-calf
pairs
4.24
During the three-month impact
phase monitoring period, only one unspotted juvenile (UJ) was sighted in WL
survey area.
These young calves comprised 1.3% of all animals sighted, which was only a small fraction of the percentage recorded during the baseline monitoring period (6.6%).
4.25
The rare occurrence of the
single mother-calf pair were located at the western territorial
border off Kai Kung Shan, which was in stark contrast to the baseline period
when calf occurrence was more frequent and concentrated near Tai O Peninsula (Figure 6 of Appendix F).
Activities
and associations with fishing boats
4.26
A total of two dolphin
sightings were associated with feeding activities off Kai
Kung Shan and near Peaked Hill (Figure 7 of Appendix F), comprising of 8.3% of the total
number of dolphin sightings. This
percentage was much
lower than the percentage recorded during the baseline
period (13.0%). Only one of the 24 sightings were associated with socializing activity off Kai
Kung Shan, while another group of two dolphins were engaged in traveling activity
further north of the HKLR09 alignment during the present quarter (Figure 7 of Appendix F).
4.27
Apparently, the distribution of
these activities during the present impact phase monitoring period was very different
from the one during the baseline period, with the main concentration of these
activities occurred between Tai O and Peaked Hill during the baseline period (Figure 7 of Appendix F).
4.28
During the three-month period, one of the
dolphin groups was associated
with an operating fishing vessel.
Summary
of photo-identification works
4.29
From September to November 2014, over 2,500 digital photographs of Chinese White Dolphins were taken during the
impact phase monitoring surveys for the photo-identification work.
4.30
In total, 37 individuals
sighted 40 times altogether were identified (see summary table in Appendix III of Appendix F and photographs of identified
individuals in Appendix IV of Appendix F. The majority of identified individuals
were sighted only once during the three-month period, but two individuals
(NL259 and NL306) were sighted twice and thrice respectively.
4.31
During the three-month period,
two recognizable females, WL72 and WL221, were accompanied with their calves
during their re-sightings.
Individual
range use
4.32
Ranging patterns of the 37
individuals identified during the three-month study period were determined by
fixed kernel method, and are shown in Appendix
V of Appendix F.
4.33
Among these 37 individuals, 12
of them (EL01, NL49, NL103, NL150, NL259, NL260, NL279, NL300, NL302, WL04,
WL05 and WL172) occurred primarily in North Lantau but ventured into
West Lantau during the three-month period, while a few other individuals (e.g.
NL230, NL269, SL42, WL199) split their time between North and West Lantau
waters. The other individuals
centered their range use primarily in West Lantau waters. (Appendix V of Appendix F)
4.34
For those that regularly
occurred in North Lantau waters, they have extended their range use from there
to West Lantau waters, which may have been a result of a range shift from North
Lantau waters. Such range shifts
should be continuously monitored in the upcoming quarters to determine whether
these range shifts are consistent for North Lantau individuals and possibly
related to the negative impacts of the HZMB-related construction activities.
4.35
On the other hand, for those
that primarily used West Lantau waters as their home ranges, most of them
utilized the southern part of their ranges but seldom in the northern part of
West Lantau, especially near the HKLR09 alignment where they frequently
occurred in the past. It is
possible that their range use in West Lantau waters have been somewhat affected
by the HKLR09 construction activities.
It will be crucial to examine whether such shifts are temporary or
permanent in nature, which may have been as a result of disturbance from the
HKLR09-related works.
Conclusion
4.36
During this quarter of dolphin
monitoring, no adverse impact from the activities of the HKLR09 construction
project on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations.
4.37
However, there is some apparent
fine-scale change in dolphin occurrence as well as diminished dolphin usage in West
Lantau survey area. Moreover, many
individual dolphins were mostly utilizing the southern part of their ranges but
not in the northern portion where HKLR09 construction activities occur.
4.38
Therefore, the dolphin usage in
WL region should be continuously monitored, to further examine whether it has
been significantly affected by the on-going construction activities in relation
to the HZMB works.
4.39
Additional land-based dolphin behavior and movement monitoring were
conducted in the reporting period. The progress of the monitoring is summarized
in the Table 4.9.
Table 4.9 Progress
Record of Additional Land-based Dolphin Behaviour and
Movement Monitoring (September to November 2014)
|
Date |
Time |
Weather |
Number of Staff |
Number of Dolphin Sighting |
|
|
Beaufort |
Visibility |
||||
|
2014/9/1 |
09:15
- 14:45 |
2-3 |
1-1.5 |
3 |
7 |
|
2014/9/5 |
09:09
- 14:33 |
2 |
2.5 |
3 |
0 |
|
2014/10/20 |
09:16
- 14:39 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
2014/10/27 |
09:09
- 14:37 |
1-2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
2014/11/10 |
09:05
- 14:30 |
2-3 |
2-3.5 |
3 |
2 |
|
2014/11/24 |
09:09
- 14:37 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
4.40
Detailed monitoring methodology and results will be provided in a
separate report after the completion of full set of additional land-based
dolphin behavior and movement monitoring.
4.41
The Contractor was advised to minimize the wastes generated through the
recycling or reusing. All mitigation measures stipulated in approved waste management
plan shall be fully implemented.
4.42
The amount of wastes generated by the activities of the Contract during
the reporting month is shown in Appendix
J.