Table of Contents
executive Summary
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Scope of Report
1.3 Organization Structure
1.4 Summary of Construction Works
1.5 Summary of EM&A Programme
Requirements
2 Air quality
2.1 Monitoring Requirements
2.2 Monitoring
Equipment
2.3 Monitoring Locations
2.4 Monitoring Parameters,
Frequency and Duration
2.5 Monitoring methodology
2.6 Monitoring Schedule for the
Reporting Month
2.7 Results and Observations
3 nOISE MONITORING
3.1 Monitoring Requirements
3.2 Monitoring Equipment
3.3 Monitoring Locations
3.4 Monitoring Parameters,
Frequency and Duration
3.5 Monitoring Methodology
3.6 Monitoring Schedule for the
Reporting Month
3.7 Monitoring Results
4 Water Quality MOnitoring
4.1 Monitoring Requirements
4.2 Monitoring equipment
4.3 Monitoring Parameters, Frequency
and Duration
4.4 Monitoring Locations
4.5 Monitoring methodology
4.6 Monitoring Schedule for the
Reporting Month
4.7 Results and Observations
5 Dolphin monitoring
5.1 monitoring requirements
5.2 monitoring equipment
5.3 Monitoring Parameter,
Frequencies and Duration
5.4 Monitoring Location
5.5 Monitoring Schedule for the
Reporting Month
5.6 Results and Observations
6 Bore piling monitoring
6.1 Monitoring Requirements
6.2 Monitoring Frequencies
6.3 Monitoring Location
6.4 Monitoring Methodology
7 Environmental site inspection and audit
7.1 Site Inspection
7.2 Waste Management Status
7.3 Environmental Licenses and
Permits
7.4 Implementation Status of
Environmental Mitigation Measures
7.5 Summary of Exceedances of the
Environmental Quality Performance Limit
7.6 Summary of Complaints,
Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
8 Future Key Issues
8.1 Construction Programme for
the Coming Months
8.2 Key Issues for the Coming
Month
8.3 Monitoring Schedule for the
Coming Month
9 Conclusions and recommendations
9.1 Conclusions
9.2 Recommendations
List of Tables
Figures
List of Appendices
Executive
Summary
Under
Contract No. HY/2012/07,
Gammon Construction Limited (GCL) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the Southern
Connection Viaduct Section of the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link Project (TM-CLK Link Project) while AECOM
Asia Company Limited was appointed by HyD as the
Supervising Officer. For
implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme under the Contract, ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM)
has been appointed as the Environmental Team (ET). ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd. was employed by
the HyD as the Independent Environmental Checker
(IEC) and Environmental Project Office (ENPO) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A. .
The
construction phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013 and will be
tentatively be completed by 2018.
The impact monitoring of the EM&A programme,
including air quality, noise, water quality and marine ecological monitoring as
well as environmental site inspections, commenced on 31 October 2013.
This is the
first monthly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during
the period from 31 October to 30 November 2013 for the Southern
Connection Viaduct Section in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual of the
TM-CLK Link Project. As informed by the Contractor, major
activities in the reporting period included:
Marine-based
Works
· Ground
investigation (GI) work at marine piers;
· Survey
towers erection; and
· Filling
platform at seawall.
Land-based
Works
· Additional
GI fieldwork, laboratory testing and permitting;
· Application
for tree felling and transplanting;
· Site
office relocation;
· Fence
relocation at Viaduct A, C and D;
· Site
offices erection; and
· Temporary
access bridge (TAB).
A summary of
monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed
below:
24-hour TSP
monitoring 5
sessions
1-hour TSP
monitoring 5
sessions
Noise
monitoring 5
sessions
Impact Water
Quality Monitoring 14
sessions
Impact dolphin
monitoring 2
sessions
Joint Environmental
site inspection 4
sessions
Daily
marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken. No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback
dolphin Sousa chinensis
was recorded in November 2013 during the exclusion zone monitoring.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for
1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring in the reporting month.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for
construction noise monitoring in the reporting month.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
One (1) exceedance of Action Level in depth-averaged SS was
recorded for impact water quality monitoring in the reporting month. The exceedance
was considered not related to the construction works of this Contract upon
further investigation.
Impact Dolphin Monitoring
During this
month of dolphin monitoring, no adverse impact from the construction activities
of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Chinese White Dolphins
was noticeable from general observations.
Due to monthly
variation in dolphin occurrence within the study area, it would be more
appropriate to draw conclusion on whether any impacts on dolphins have been
detected related to the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern
Connection Viaduct Section in the quarterly EM&A reports, where comparison
on distribution, group size and encounter rates of dolphins between the
quarterly impact monitoring period and baseline monitoring period will be made.
Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons
One (1)
complaint was referred by EPD on 12 November 2013 and was follow-up
timely. The complaint was
considered to be not related to this Contract.
No
notification of summons and successful prosecution was received in the
reporting month.
Reporting Change
There was no
reporting change required in the reporting period.
Upcoming Works for the Next Reporting Period
Works to be
undertaken in the next monitoring period of December 2013 include the
following:
Marine
Works
· GI
works at marine piers;
· Filling
Platform at seawall; and
· Marine
foundation at Viaduct E2, E5-8 and E13.
Land-based
Works
· Additional
GI fieldwork, laboratory testing and permitting;
· Fence
relocation at Viaduct A, C and D; and
· Site
offices erection at Area 2, Area 3, Area 5 and seawall.
Future Key Issues
Potential
environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities
in the next reporting month of December 2013 are mainly associated with dust, noise,
marine water quality, marine ecology and waste management issues.
1
Introduction
According to
the findings of the Northwest New Territories (NWNT) Traffic and Infrastructure
Review conducted by the Transport Department, Tuen Mun Road, Ting Kau Bridge, Lantau Link and North Lantau
Highway would be operating beyond capacity after 2016. This forecast has been based on the
estimated increase in cross boundary traffic, developments in the Northwest New
Territories (NWNT), and possible developments in North Lantau,
including the Airport developments, the Lantau
Logistics Park (LLP) and the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge (HZMB). In order to cope with the anticipated
traffic demand, two new road sections between NWNT and North Lantau – Tuen Mun
– Chek Lap Kok Link
(TM-CLKL) and Tuen Mun
Western Bypass (TMWB) are proposed.
An
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of TM-CLKL (the Project) was prepared in
accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-175/2007) and
the Technical Memorandum of the Environmental
Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). The EIA Report was submitted under the
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) in August 2009. Subsequent to the approval of the EIA
Report (EIAO Register Number AEIAR-145/2009), an Environmental Permit
(EP-354/2009) for TM-CLKL was granted by the Director of Environmental
Protection (DEP) on 4 November 2009, and EP variation (EP-354/2009A) was issued
on 8 December 2010.
Under
Contract No. HY/2012/07,
Gammon Construction Limited (GCL) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the
Southern Connection Viaduct Section of TM-CLKL (“the Contract”) while AECOM
Asia Company Limited was appointed by HyD as the
Supervising Officer. For
implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme under the Contract, ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM)
has been appointed as the Environmental Team (ET). ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd. was employed by HyD as the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) and
Environmental Project Office (ENPO) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A.
The construction phase of the Contract commenced on
31 October 2013 and will be tentatively be completed by 2018. The impact monitoring phase of the
EM&A programme, including air quality, noise,
water quality and marine ecological monitoring as well environmental site
inspections, commenced on 31 October 2013.
This is the first monthly EM&A Report
under the Contract No. HY/2012/07 Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link – Southern Connection Viaduct Section.
This report presents a summary of the environmental monitoring and audit
works in October and November 2013.
The
organization structure of the Contract is shown in Appendix A.
The key personnel contact names and
contact details are summarized in Table
1.1 below.
Table 1.1 Contact
Information of Key Personnel
|
Party
|
Position
|
Name
|
Telephone
|
Fax
|
|
SOR
(AECOM Asia
Company Limited)
|
Chief
Resident Engineer
|
Daniel Ip
|
3553 3800
|
2492 2057
|
|
ENPO / IEC
(ENVIRON
Hong Kong Ltd.)
|
ENPO Leader
|
Y.H. Hui
|
3465 2888
|
3465 2899
|
|
IEC
|
Tony Cheng
|
3465 2888
|
3465 2899
|
|
Contractor
(Gammon
Construction Limited)
|
Environmental
Manager
|
Brian Kam
|
2750 0118
|
2750 0922
|
|
Environmental
Officer
|
Roy Leung
|
2750 0118
|
2750 0922
|
|
|
24-hour
Complaint Hotline
|
|
9738 4332
|
|
|
ET (ERM-HK)
|
ET Leader
|
Jovy Tam
|
2271 3113
|
2723 5660
|
The construction
phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013.
The three-month rolling construction programme
is shown in Appendix B.
As informed by the Contractor, details of
the major works carried out in this reporting period are listed below:
Marine-based Works
· Ground
investigation (GI) work at marine piers;
· Survey
towers erection; and
· Filling
platform at seawall.
Land-based
Works
· Additional
GI fieldwork, laboratory testing and permitting;
· Application
for tree felling and transplanting;
· Site
office relocation;
· Fence
relocation at Viaduct A, C and D;
· Site
offices erection; and
· Temporary
access bridge (TAB).
The general layout plan of the site
showing the detailed works areas is shown in Figures
1.1 to 1.12.
The environmental mitigation measures
implementation schedule are presented in Appendix C.
The EM&A programme required environmental monitoring for air
quality, noise, water quality and marine ecology as well as environmental site
inspections for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine
ecology and landscape and visual impacts.
The EM&A requirements and related findings for each component are
described in the following sections, which include:
-
Monitoring parameters;
-
Monitoring schedules for the reporting month and
forthcoming month;
-
Action and Limit levels for all environmental
parameters;
-
Event/ Action Plan;
-
Results and observations;
-
Environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in
the Project EIA reports; and
-
Environmental requirement in contract documents.
2
Air
quality
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual,
baseline 1-hour and 24-hour TSP levels at two (2) air quality monitoring
stations were established. Impact
1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted three (3) times every six (6) days while
the highest dust impact was expected. Impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried
out once every six (6) days. The
Action and Limit Level of the air quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D.
Portable
direct reading dust meters were used to carry out the 1-hour TSP monitoring on
5, 11 and 15 November 2013. High
Volume Samplers (HVSs) were used for carrying out 1-hour TSP monitoring on 21
and 27 November 2013 due to the change of monitoring locations from Siu Ho Wan
MTR Depot to Pak Mong Village Watch Tower and Area 4
where more reliable power supply is available to power the HVS. 24-hour TSP air quality monitoring was
performed using HVS located at each designated monitoring station. The HVS meets all requirements of the Updated
EM&A Manual. Brand and model of
the equipment is given in Table
2.1. Copies of the calibration certificates for the
equipment are presented in Appendix E.
Wind data
monitoring equipment was installed at fencing close to ASR9A (Siu Ho Wan MTRC
Depot) since 5 November 2013. It
was then installed at the rooftop of Pak Mong Village
Watch Tower since 15 November 2013 for logging wind speed and wind direction. The wind sensor was setup such as it was
clear of obstructions or turbulence caused by building. The wind data monitoring equipment is
recalibrated at least once every six months.
Table
2.1 Air Quality Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment
|
Brand and Model
|
|
Portable direct reading dust meter
(1-hour TSP)
|
Sibata Digital Dust Monitor
(Model No. LD-3B)
|
|
High Volume Sampler
(1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP)
|
Tisch Environmental Mass Flow Controlled Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) High Volume Sampler (Model No. TE-5170)
|
|
Wind Sensor
|
Global Water WE550
|
Monitoring locations ASR 9A and ASR 9C
were set up at the proposed locations in Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot in accordance
with the Updated EM&A Manual.
However, approval for carrying out impact monitoring within MTRC Depot
could not be obtained. Air quality
monitoring on 5 and 11 November 2013 was carried out just outside MTRC Depot at
close proximity to the proposed locations, which was then temporarily relocated
to the rooftop of Pak Mong Village Watch Tower (ASR
8) and Area 4 (ASR 8A). Same
baseline and Action Level for air quality, as derived from the baseline
monitoring data recorded at Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot, were adopted for these temporary
air quality locations.
Figure 2.1
shows the locations of monitoring
stations. Table 2.2 describes the details of the monitoring stations.
Table 2.2 Locations
of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations
|
Monitoring Dates
|
Monitoring Station
|
Location
|
Description
|
|
5, 11
November 2013
|
ASR 9A
|
Siu Ho Wan
MTRC Depot
|
On ground
near security office
|
|
ASR 9C
|
Siu Ho Wan
MTRC Depot
|
On ground
near staff canteen
|
|
15, 21, 27
November 2013
|
ASR 8
|
Pak Mong Village Watch Tower
|
Rooftop of
the premise
|
|
ASR 8A
|
Area 4
|
On ground at
the Area 4
|
Table 2.3 summarized the
monitoring parameters, frequency and duration of impact TSP monitoring.
Table 2.3 Air
Quality Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration
|
Parameter
|
Frequency and Duration
|
|
1-hour TSP
|
Three times
every 6 days while the highest dust impact was expected
|
|
24-hour TSP
|
Once every 6
days
|
High
Volume Sampler
(a) The
HVS was installed in the vicinity of the air sensitive receivers. The following criteria were considered in
the installation of the HVS:
·
A horizontal platform with appropriate support to
secure the sampler against gusty wind was provided.
·
The distance between the HVS and an obstacle, such as
buildings, was at least
twice the height that the obstacle protrudes above the sampler.
·
A
minimum of 2m of separation from walls, parapets and penthouses was required
for rooftop samples.
·
A
minimum of 2m separation from any supporting structure, measured horizontally
was required.
·
No
furnaces or incineration flues were nearby.
·
Airflow
around the sampler was unrestricted.
·
The
samplers were more than 20m from the drip line.
·
Any
wire fence and gate, to protect the sampler, should not cause any obstruction
during monitoring.
·
Permission must be obtained to set up the samples
and to obtain access to the monitoring stations.
·
A secured supply of electricity is needed to
operate the samplers.
·
No two samplers should be placed less than 2 m
apart.
(b) Preparation
of Filter Papers
·
Filter papers of size 8”x 10” that were clean and
without pinholes were selected.
·
All filter papers were conditioned in a humidity
controlled chamber for over 24-hour and be pre-weighed before use for sampling.
·
All filter papers were prepared and analysed by ALS Technichem (HK)
Pty Ltd., which is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory and has comprehensive quality
assurance and quality control programmes.
(c) Field
Monitoring
·
The power supply was checked to ensure the HVS works
properly.
·
The filter holder and the area surrounding the filter
were cleaned.
·
The filter holder was removed by loosening the four
bolts and a new filter, with stamped number upward, on a supporting screen was
aligned carefully.
·
The filter was properly aligned on the screen so that
the gasket formed an airtight seal on the outer edges of the filter.
·
The swing bolts were fastened to hold the filter
holder down to the frame. The
pressure applied was sufficient to avoid air leakage at the edges.
·
Then the shelter lid was closed and was secured with
the aluminum strip.
·
The HVS was warmed up for about 5 minutes to establish
run-temperature conditions.
·
A new flow rate record sheet was set into the flow
recorder.
·
On site temperature and atmospheric pressure readings
were taken and the flow rate of the HVS was checked and adjusted at around 1.1
m3/min, and complied with the range specified in the Updated
EM&A Manual (i.e. 0.6 – 1.7 m3/min).
·
The programmable digital timer was set for a sampling
period of 1 hour or 24 hours, and the starting time, weather condition and the
filter number were recorded.
·
The initial elapsed time was recorded.
·
At the end of sampling, on site temperature and
atmospheric pressure readings were taken and the final flow rate of the HVS was
checked and recorded.
·
The final elapsed time was recorded.
·
The sampled filter was removed carefully and folded in
half-length so that only surfaces with collected particulate matter were in
contact.
·
It was then placed in a clean plastic envelop and
sealed.
·
All monitoring information was recorded on a standard
data sheet.
·
Filters were then sent to ALS Technichem
(HK) Pty Ltd. for analysis.
(d) Maintenance
and Calibration
·
The HVS and its accessories were maintained. Appropriate
maintenance such as routine motor brushes replacement and electrical wiring
checking were made to ensure that the equipment and necessary power supply are
in good working condition.
·
All HVS were calibrated
(five point calibration) using Calibration Kit prior to the commencement of
the baseline monitoring and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals.
Dust
Meter
(a) The
measuring procedures of the 1-hour dust meter followed the Manufacturer’s
Instruction Manual as presented below:
·
Turn the power on
·
Close the air collecting opening cover.
·
Push the “TIME SETTING” switch to [BG].
·
Push the “START/STOP” switch to perform background
measurement for 6 seconds.
·
Turn the knob at SENSI ADJ position to insert the
light scattering plate.
·
Leave the equipment for 1 minute upon “SPAN CHECK” is
indicated in the display.
·
Push “START/STOP” switch to perform automatic
sensitivity adjustment. This
measurement takes 1 minute.
·
Pull out the knob and return it to MEASURE position.
·
Push the “TIME SETTING” switch the time set in the
display to 3 hours.
·
Lower down the air collection opening cover.
·
Push “START/STOP” switch to start measurement.
(b) Maintenance and
Calibration
·
The 1-hour TSP meter was calibrated at 1-year interval
against a continuous particulate TEOM Monitor. Calibration certificates of the Laser
Dust Monitors are provided in Appendix E.
·
1-hour validation checking of the TSP meter against
HVS is carried out on half-year basis at the air quality monitoring locations.
The schedule for air quality monitoring
in the reporting period is provided in Appendix F.
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and
24-hour TSP are summarized in Tables 2.4 and 2.5 respectively.
Detailed impact air quality monitoring results are presented in Appendix
G.
Table 2.4 Summary
of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
|
|
Average (µg/m3)
|
Range (µg/m3)
|
Action Level (µg/m3)
|
Limit Level (µg/m3)
|
|
ASR
9A (ASR 8A)
|
101.5
|
60
- 182
|
394
|
500
|
|
ASR
9C (ASR 8)
|
102
|
63
- 156
|
393
|
500
|
Table 2.5 Summary
of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
|
|
Average (µg/m3)
|
Range (µg/m3)
|
Action Level (µg/m3)
|
Limit Level (µg/m3)
|
|
ASR
9A (ASR 8A)
|
69.2
|
52
- 91
|
178
|
260
|
|
ASR
9C (ASR 8)
|
82.6
|
65
- 121
|
178
|
260
|
The major dust source in the reporting
period included construction activities under the Contract as well as nearby
traffic emissions.
All 1-hour and 24-hour TSP results were
below the Action and Limit level at all monitoring locations in the reporting period.
No action is thus required to be
undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in Appendix
L.
Meteorological information collected from
the wind station, including wind speed and wind direction, is provided in Appendix
H.
3
nOISE
MONITORING
In accordance with the Updated EM&A
Manual, impact noise monitoring was conducted once per week during the construction
phase of the Contract. The Action
and Limit level of the noise monitoring is provided in Appendix D.
Noise
monitoring was performed using sound level meter at each designated monitoring
station. The sound level meters
deployed comply with the International Electrotechnical
Commission Publications (IEC) 651:1979 (Type 1) and 804:1985 (Type 1)
specifications. Acoustic calibrator
was deployed to check the sound level meters at a known sound pressure
level. Brand and model of the
equipment is provided in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Noise
Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment
|
Brand and Model
|
|
Integrated
Sound Level Meter
|
Rion
NL-31
|
|
Acoustic
Calibrator
|
Rion
NC-73
|
Monitoring
location was set up at NSR 1 in accordance with the Updated EM&A
Manual. Figure 3.1 shows
the location of the monitoring station.
Table 3.2 describes the
details of the monitoring station.
Table 3.2 Location
of Impact Noise Monitoring Station
|
Monitoring Station
|
Location
|
Description
|
|
NSR 1
|
Pak Mong Village Watch Tower
|
Rooftop of
the premise
|
Table 3.3 summarizes the
monitoring parameters, frequency and duration of impact noise monitoring.
Table 3.3 Noise
Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration
|
Parameter
|
Frequency and Duration
|
|
30-mins
measurement at each monitoring station between 0700 and 1900 on normal
weekdays (Monday to Saturday). Leq, L10
and L90 would be recorded.
|
At least
once per week
|
Monitoring Procedures
·
The
microphone head of the sound
level meter was positioned 1m exterior of the noise sensitive facade and lowered sufficiently so that the
building’s external wall acts as a reflecting surface.
·
The
battery condition was checked to ensure the correct functioning of the meter.
·
Parameters
were set as follows:
Ø frequency weighting: A
Ø time weighting: Fast
Ø time measurement: Leq(30
min.) dB(A) (as six consecutive Leq, 5min
readings) during non-restricted hours (i.e. 0700-1900 hrs
on normal weekdays)
·
Prior
to and after each noise measurement, the meter was calibrated using a
Calibrator for 94.0 dB at 1000 Hz. If the difference in the calibration
level before and after measurement was more than 1.0 dB, the measurement would
be considered invalid and repeat of noise measurement would be required after
re-calibration or repair of the equipment.
·
During the
monitoring period, the Leq, L90
and L10 were recorded.
In addition, site conditions and noise sources were recorded on a
standard record sheet.
·
Noise
measurement was paused temporarily during periods of high intrusive noise (eg dog barking, helicopter
noise) if possible and observation was recorded when intrusive noise was not
avoided.
·
Noise
monitoring was cancelled in the presence of fog, rain and wind with a steady
speed exceeding 5m/s, or wind with gusts exceeding 10 m/s. The wind speed shall be checked with a
portable wind speed meter capable of measuring the wind speed in m/s.
Maintenance
and Calibration
· The
microphone head of the sound level meter was cleaned with soft cloth at regular
intervals.
· The
meter and calibrator were sent to the supplier or HOKLAS laboratory to check
and calibrate at yearly intervals.
· Calibration
certificates of the sound level meters and acoustic calibrators are provided in
Appendix E.
The schedule for construction noise
monitoring in the reporting period is provide in Appendix F.
Results for noise monitoring are
summarized in Table 3.4 and the monitoring data is provided in Appendix
I.
Table 3.4 Summary
of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
|
|
Average , dB(A), Leq
(30mins)
|
Range, dB(A), Leq (30mins)
|
Limit Level, dB(A), Leq
(30mins)
|
|
NSR
1
|
57
|
56
- 59
|
75
|
No noise Action Level and Limit level exceedance was recorded at all monitoring stations in the
reporting month. No action is thus
required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in
Appendix
L.
Major noise sources during the noise
monitoring included construction activities, nearby traffic noise and aircraft
noise.
4
Water
Quality MOnitoring
Impact water quality monitoring was carried out to
ensure that any deterioration of water quality was detected, and that timely
action was taken to rectify the situation.
Impact water quality monitoring was undertaken three days per week
during the construction period in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. The Action and Limit Level of the water
quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D.
Table 4.1 summarises the equipment used in the impact water quality
monitoring programme.
Table 4.1 Water
Quality Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment
|
Brand and Model
|
|
DO, Temperature meter and Salinity
|
YSI Pro2030
|
|
Turbidimeter
|
HACH Model 2100Q
|
|
pH meter
|
HANNA HI8314
|
|
Positioning
Equipment
|
Koden913MK2 with KBG-3 DGPS antenna
|
|
Water Depth Detector
|
Speedtech Instrument SM-5
|
|
Water Sampler
|
Kemmerer 1520 (1520-C25) 2.2L with messenger
|
Table 4.2 summarizes the
monitoring parameters, frequency and monitoring depths of impact water quality
monitoring as required in the Updated EM&A Manual.
Table 4.2 Water Quality Monitoring Parameters and Frequency
|
Monitoring Stations
|
Parameters, unit
|
Frequency
|
Depth
|
|
Impact Stations:
IS(Mf)9
IS(Mf)16
IS8
Sensitive Receivers:
SR4
SR4a
Control Stations:
CS(Mf)3
CS(Mf)5
|
Ÿ
Temperature(°C)
Ÿ
pH(pH unit)
Ÿ
Turbidity (NTU)
Ÿ
Water depth (m)
Ÿ
Salinity (ppt)
Ÿ
DO (mg/L and % of
saturation)
Ÿ
SS (mg/L)
|
Impact monitoring: 3 days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides
(within ±1.75 hour of the
predicted time) during the construction period of the Contract
|
3 water depths: 1m
below sea surface,
mid-depth and 1m
above sea bed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If the water depth
is
less than 3m, mid-depth
sampling only.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If water depth less
than 6m, mid-depth
may be omitted.
|
The
locations of the monitoring stations under the Contract are shown in Figure 4.1 and detailed in Table
4.3.
Table 4.3 Locations
of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations
|
Station ID
|
Type
|
Coordinates
|
|
|
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
|
IS(Mf)9
|
Impact
Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)
|
813273
|
818850
|
|
IS(Mf)16
|
Impact Station
(Close to HKBCF construction site)
|
814328
|
819497
|
|
IS8
|
Impact Station(Close
to HKBCF construction site)
|
814251
|
818412
|
|
SR4
|
Sensitive receiver
(Tai Ho Inlet)
|
814760
|
817867
|
|
SR4a
|
Sensitive receiver
|
815247
|
818067
|
|
CS(Mf)3
|
Control Station
|
809989
|
821117
|
|
CS(Mf)5
|
Control
Station
|
817990
|
821129
|
Notes:
DO = Dissolved Oxygen
SS = Suspended Solid
4.5.1
Instrumentation
The in-situ water quality parameters, i.e.
dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity were measured by multi-parameter Water
Quality System (Model
YSI Pro2030).
Turbidity
and pH were measured by HACH Model 2100Q and HANNAH HI8314, respectively.
4.5.2
Operating/ Analytical
Procedures
Digital Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) were used to
ensure that the correct location was selected prior to sample collection.
Portable, battery-operated echo sounders were used for the determination
of water depth at each designated monitoring station.
All in-situ measurements were
taken at 3 water depths, 1 m below water surface, mid-depth and 1 m above sea
bed, except where the water depth was less than 6 m, for which the mid-depth
station was omitted. Should the
water depth be less than 3 m, only the mid-depth station was monitored.
At each sampling depth, two consecutive in-situ measurements (DO concentration and saturation, temperature,
turbidity, pH and salinity) and water samples for SS were taken. The probes were retrieved out of the
water after the first measurement and then re-deployed for the second
measurement. Where the difference
in the value between the first and second readings of DO or turbidity
parameters was more than 25% of the value of the first reading, the reading was
discarded and further readings were taken.
Duplicate samples were collected at each sampling depth for SS
measurement in the laboratory.
Water samples were collected using the water samplers and the samples
were stored in high-density polythene bottles. Water samples collected were well-mixed
in the water sampler prior to pre-rinsing and transferring to sample bottles. Samples bottles were pre-rinsed with the
same water samples. The sample
bottles were then packed in cool-boxes (cooled at 4°C) without being frozen)
and delivered to ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. for the
analysis of SS concentrations. The
laboratory determination work would be started within 24 hours after collection
of the water samples. ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory
and has comprehensive QA/QC programme. For QA/QC procedures, one sample of
every batch of 20 samples was analyzed.
The analysis method and reporting and
detection limit for SS is shown in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Laboratory
Analysis for Suspended Solids
|
Parameters
|
Instrumentation
|
Analytical Method
|
Reporting Limit
|
Detection Limit
|
|
Suspended Solid (SS)
|
Weighing
|
APHA 2540-D
|
0.5 mg/L
|
0.5 mg/L
|
Other relevant data were
recorded, including monitoring location/ position, time, water depth, tidal
stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway at the
construction site in the field log sheet for information.
4.5.3
Maintenance and Calibration
All in situ
monitoring instruments were checked, calibrated and certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS or other
international accreditation scheme before use, and subsequently re-calibrated
at 3 monthly intervals throughout all stages of the water quality monitoring
programme. Responses of sensors and
electrodes were checked with certified standard solutions before each use. Wet bulb calibration for a DO meter was
carried out before measurement at each monitoring event.
For
the on-site calibration of field equipment (Multi-parameter Water Quality
System), the BS 1427:2009, "Guide to on-site test methods for the analysis
of waters" was observed. Copies
of the calibration certificates are attached in Appendix E.
The schedule for water quality monitoring
in November 2013 is provided in Appendix F.
Impact water quality monitoring was
conducted at all designated monitoring stations in the reporting month. Impact water quality monitoring results and
graphical presentations are provided in Appendix J.
Exceedances of
the Action Levels of the depth-averaged SS was observed at
SR4a during mid-ebb tide on 26 November 2013. It is considered that the exceedance of depth-averaged SS level at SR4a during
mid-ebb tide on 26 November 2013 was likely due to sediment disturbance caused
by water sampler touching seabed, contributing to an exceedance
in SS for water sampled at bottom water depth. Thus, the observed SS exceedance was
not considered to be project-related and not of environmental concern.
Should
non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Event and
Action Plan, as provided in Appendix L should be
carried out.
5
Dolphin
monitoring
Impact dolphin monitoring is required to
be conducted by a qualified dolphin specialist team to evaluate whether there
have been any effects on the dolphins. Dolphin monitoring works by line transect
methodology is required to carry out in accordance with the Updated EM&A
Manual of the TM-CLK
Link Project. In order to fulfil the EM&A
requirements and make good use of available resources, the on-going impact line
transect dolphin monitoring data collected by HyD’s Contract No. HY/2011/03 Hong
Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Hong Kong Link Road - Section between Scenic
Hill and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities on the monthly basis is adopted to avoid duplicates
of survey effort.
Table 5.1 summarises the equipment used for the impact dolphin
monitoring.
Table
5.1 Dolphin Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment
|
Model
|
|
|
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
Camera
Laser Binoculars
Marine Binocular
Vessel for Monitoring
|
Garmin 18X-PC
Geo One Phottix
Nikon D90 300m 2.8D fixed focus
Nikon D90 20-300m zoom lens
Infinitor LRF 1000
Bushell 7 x 50 marine binocular with compass and
reticules
65 foot single engine motor vessel with viewing platform 4.5m above
water level
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dolphin
monitoring should cover all transect lines in Northeast Lantau (NEL) and
the Northwest Lantau (NWL)
survey areas twice per month throughout the entire construction period. The monitoring data should be compatible
with, and should be made available for, long-term studies of small cetacean ecology
in Hong Kong. In order to provide a
suitable long-term dataset for comparison, identical methodology and line
transects employed in baseline dolphin monitoring was followed in the impact
dolphin monitoring.
The
impact dolphin monitoring was carried out in the NEL and NWL along the line
transect as depicted in Figure 5.1. The co-ordinates of all transect lines
are shown in Table 5.2 below.
Table
5.2 Impact Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect
Co-ordinates
|
Line
No.
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
|
Line
No.
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
|
1
|
Start
Point
|
804671
|
814577
|
|
13
|
Start
Point
|
816506
|
819480
|
|
1
|
End
Point
|
804671
|
831404
|
|
13
|
End
Point
|
816506
|
824859
|
|
2
|
Start
Point
|
805475
|
815457
|
|
14
|
Start
Point
|
817537
|
820220
|
|
2
|
End
Point
|
805477
|
826654
|
|
14
|
End
Point
|
817537
|
824613
|
|
3
|
Start
Point
|
806464
|
819435
|
|
15
|
Start
Point
|
818568
|
820735
|
|
3
|
End
Point
|
806464
|
822911
|
|
15
|
End
Point
|
818568
|
824433
|
|
4
|
Start
Point
|
807518
|
819771
|
|
16
|
Start
Point
|
819532
|
821420
|
|
4
|
End
Point
|
807518
|
829230
|
|
16
|
End
Point
|
819532
|
824209
|
|
5
|
Start
Point
|
808504
|
820220
|
|
17
|
Start
Point
|
820451
|
822125
|
|
5
|
End
Point
|
808504
|
828602
|
|
17
|
End
Point
|
820451
|
823671
|
|
6
|
Start
Point
|
809490
|
820466
|
|
18
|
Start
Point
|
821504
|
822371
|
|
6
|
End
Point
|
809490
|
825352
|
|
18
|
End
Point
|
821504
|
823761
|
|
7
|
Start
Point
|
810499
|
820690
|
|
19
|
Start
Point
|
822513
|
823268
|
|
7
|
End
Point
|
810499
|
824613
|
|
19
|
End
Point
|
822513
|
824321
|
|
8
|
Start
Point
|
811508
|
820847
|
|
20
|
Start
Point
|
823477
|
823402
|
|
8
|
End
Point
|
811508
|
824254
|
|
20
|
End
Point
|
823477
|
824613
|
|
9
|
Start
Point
|
812516
|
820892
|
|
21
|
Start
Point
|
805476
|
827081
|
|
9
|
End
Point
|
812516
|
824254
|
|
21
|
End
Point
|
805476
|
830562
|
|
10
|
Start
Point
|
813525
|
820872
|
|
22
|
Start
Point
|
806464
|
824033
|
|
10
|
End
Point
|
813525
|
824657
|
|
22
|
End
Point
|
806464
|
829598
|
|
11
|
Start
Point
|
814556
|
818449
|
|
23
|
Start
Point
|
814559
|
821739
|
|
11
|
End
Point
|
814556
|
820992
|
|
23
|
End
Point
|
814559
|
824768
|
|
12
|
Start
Point
|
815542
|
818807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
End
Point
|
815542
|
824882
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dolphin monitoring was carried out on 1,
5, 8 and 13 November 2013. The
dolphin monitoring schedule for the reporting period is shown in Appendix
F.
Vessel-based
Line-transect Survey
A total
of 268.17 km of survey effort was collected, with 100% of the
total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (i.e.
Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility) during the November’s surveys. Amongst the two areas, 98.97 km and 169.20 km of survey effort were collected from NEL and NWL survey areas, respectively. The total survey effort conducted on
primary and secondary lines were 211.85 km and 56.32 km
respectively. The survey
efforts are summarized in Appendix K.
A total of
twenty-one groups of 102 Chinese White Dolphin sightings were recorded during
the two surveys. All sightings were
made in NWL during the two sets of surveys in November, with no sightings made
at all in NEL. All except one were
on-effort sightings, and 18 of these on-effort sightings were made on primary
lines. None of the dolphin groups
was associated with operating fishing vessels.
None of the 21
sightings was made in the proximity of this Project. The distribution of dolphin sightings
during the reporting month is shown in Figure 5.2.
Encounter
rates of Chinese White Dolphins are deduced from the survey effort and
on-effort sighting data made under favourable conditions
(Beaufort 3 or below) in November 2013 with the results presented in Tables 5.3 and 5.4.
Table 5.3 Individual
Survey Event Encounter Rates
|
|
|
Encounter rate (STG) (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)
|
|
|
|
Primary Lines Only
|
Primary Lines Only
|
|
NEL
|
Set 1: Nov
1st/5th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
|
Set 2: Nov
8th/13th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
NWL
|
Set 1: Nov
1st/5th
|
10.3
|
50.0
|
|
|
Set 2: Nov
8th/13th
|
16.1
|
76.1
|
Table 5.4 Monthly
Average Encounter Rates
|
|
Encounter rate (STG)
(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)
|
|
Primary Lines Only
|
Both Primary and Secondary
Lines
|
Primary Lines Only
|
Both Primary and Secondary
Lines
|
|
Northeast Lantau
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
Northwest Lantau
|
13.2
|
11.2
|
63.1
|
53.2
|
Note: Overall dolphin encounter rates (sightings per
100km of survey effort) from all four surveys are conducted in November 2013 on
primary lines only as well as both primary lines and secondary lines in
Northeast and Northwest Lantau
The
average group size of Chinese White Dolphins in November 2013 was 4.86 individuals
per group. Twelve dolphin groups were composed of
only 1-4 animals, while the other nine were larger groups with 5-11 animals per
group.
Photo-identification
Work
During
dolphin monitoring in November 2013, 58 individual dolphins were identified and
a majority of them were only sighted once in the reporting month (Appendices
III and IV). Seven (7) individuals
were sighted twice and four (4) others were sighted 3-4 times during the two
sets of surveys.
Five
(5) well-recognized females, including NL33, NL88, NL93, NL98 and NL123 were
accompanied with their calves during their re-sightings.
During
this month of dolphin monitoring, no adverse impact from the construction
activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Chinese White
Dolphins was noticeable from general observations
Due
to monthly variation in dolphin occurrence within the Study area, it would be
more appropriate to draw conclusion on whether any impacts on dolphins have
been detected related to the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern
Connection Viaduct Section in the quarterly EM&A reports, where comparison
on distribution, group size and encounter rates of dolphins between the
quarterly impact monitoring period and baseline monitoring period will be made.
Taking into account of natural seasonal
change in distribution patterns, which is also observed in baseline monitoring,
it is suggested that a longer period of impact monitoring data should be
obtained for comparison.
The Event Action Plan is provided in Appendix
L.
Bore piling
monitoring comprised land-based theodolite tracking, underwater noise
monitoring and acoustic behavioural monitoring. Such monitoring is undertaken by
qualified dolphin specialist, who has sufficient relevant post-graduate
experience and publication in the respective aspects.
Table 6.1 summarizes the monitoring frequency of the bore
piling monitoring as required in the Updated EM&A Manual. The impact phase bored piling monitoring
has not been carried out in the reporting month since no bored piling works
were scheduled to be undertaken.
Table 6.1 Bore
Piling Monitoring Frequency
|
|
Monitoring Frequency
|
|
Land-based
Theodolite Tracking
|
As a
minimum, 30 days before, 30 days during and 30 days after the bore piling
works.
|
|
Underwater
Noise Monitoring and Acoustic Behavioural
Monitoring
|
30
days before and 30 days during the construction phase of the bore piling
activities
|
coustic Behavioural Monitoring0 days during and 30 days after the
bore piling works.ng as required in the Updated EM&A Manual.
Table 6.2 summarizes the monitoring locations for bore piling
monitoring.
Table 6.2 Bore
Piling Monitoring Locations
|
Monitoring
Component
|
Monitoring
Locations
|
|
Land-based
Theodolite Tracking
|
Pak Mong Station (Figure 6.1)
|
|
Underwater
Noise Monitoring
|
Pier No. B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6 (Figure 6.2)
|
|
Acoustic Behavioural Monitoring
Dipping Hydrophone
Ecological Acoustics Recorders (EARs)
|
Predefined route in Northeast Lantau
(overlapped with TM-CLKL alignment) and part of Northwest Lantau
(Control Site) (Figure 6.3)
Site C1 (within 500m of TM-CLKL alignment) and Site
C2 (Control Site between Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau) (Figure 6.3)
|
|
|
|
Land-based
Theodolite Tracking
The
methodology of the present monitoring programme generally follows the one
established under the Piwetz et al. 2012 ()
study, which is also part
of the AFCD long-term marine mammal monitoring programme (ung
2012, 2013)()()
. On each
survey day, observers will search systematically for Chinese white dolphins
using the unaided eye and handheld binoculars (7 x 50) from the Pak Mong
Station, overlooking the viaduct alignment to the northeast coast of Lantau Island, in particular the area around the six bored
pile sites. Notably, all six bored
piling sites were monitored during baseline phase, while three of these six
sites will be chosen for construction phase and post-construction phase
monitoring when the initial phase of the construction schedule is confirmed.
A
theodolite tracking session will be initiated when an individual dolphin or
group of dolphins is located, and focal follow methods will be used to track
the dolphins. Within a group, a
focal individual will be selected for the purposes of tracking the behaviour
and movement of the group, based on its distinctive feature such as colouration
or severe injury mark. The focal
individual will then be tracked continuously via the theodolite, with positions
recorded whenever the dolphin surfaces.
If an individual cannot be positively distinguished from other members,
the group will be tracked by recording positions based on a central point
within the group when the dolphins surface.
Tracking
will continue until animals are lost from view, move beyond the range of
reliable visibility (>5 km), or when environmental conditions obstructed
visibility (e.g. intense haze).
Behavioural state data will also be recorded every 5 minutes for the
focal individual or group. This interval is long enough to allow
for determination of the behavioural state, and short enough to capture
behavioural responses to the bored piling activities.
Moreover, when multiple groups or
individuals are present in the study area,
attempts will be made to record the behaviours of all groups/individuals every
10 minutes, with spotters assisting in determining behaviour of the
dolphins.
Positions of
dolphins, boats and construction activities will be measured using a Sokkisha DT5 digital theodolite with ± 5-sec precision and
30-power magnification connected to a laptop computer running the program Pythagoras Version 1.2 (Gailey and Ortega-Ortiz 2002)?as bee intervals), while it wasring mid-ebb tidemid-onfirmed
that no marine works were being carried out when exceedance of dep()
. This program calculates a
real-time conversion of horizontal and vertical angles collected by the
theodolite into geographic positions of latitude and longitude each time a fix
is initiated. Pythagoras also displays positions, movements, and distances in
real-time. When possible, the
position of the focal dolphin will be recorded at every surfacing with use of Pythagoras. The position, type, and activity of all
vessels within 5 km of the focal dolphin will also be recorded. An effort will be made to obtain at
least several positions for each vessel, and additional positions will be
acquired when vessels changed course or speed.
While the
primary source of human disturbance to dolphins of interest in this study is
bored piling works for the TM-CLKL Project, the presence of vessels may also
have an effect on the behaviour and movement patterns of dolphins. Prior to the construction phase (i.e.
baseline phase), the simultaneous tracking of dolphins and boats over time
provides information on the speed and orientation of dolphins, as well as their
movements in relation to vessel activities. Other
construction activities and vessel movements in relation to the bored piling
works will be recorded during the construction phase monitoring, and the same
theodolite tracking and behavioural procedures will be followed as during
baseline phase.
Underwater
Noise Monitoring Study using Dipping Hydrophone
The underwater
sound recording system consists of a high-sensitivity, high-bandwidth
hydrophone (International Transducer Corporation ITC-6050c) and two-channel
audio recorder (Sound Devices 702T). The hydrophone will be deployed from the
stern of the research vessel, a deployment scheme sometimes referred to as a
“dipping hydrophone”, approximately mid-water column at a depth of 5 m beneath
a 2 m spar buoy. The hydrophone
cable is faired to streamline water flow around the cable, reducing pseudonoise and eliminating cable vibration. The vessel will “go quiet” (its engine,
generator, bilge pump, and depth sounder turned off) and drift for the duration
of each recording. The recording
system and deployment method generally follow that of another well-established study
of underwater sounds in Hong Kong waters (Würsig and
Greene 2002)() .
The
ITC-6050c is a wide-band hydrophone with a built-in, low-noise preamplifier for
optimum noise performance. Its
nominal operating band is 30 Hz to 70 kHz, and its self-noise level is well
below Knudsen Sea State 0 up to 20 kHz. The hydrophone signal will be amplified
as needed via a postamplifier with user-selectable
gains from 0 to 60 dB in 10 dB increments. The audio recorder will be
configured to sample 16-bit data received on each of its two channels at a rate
of 192 kHz, thus allowing analysis of the acoustic data up to 96 kHz. According to Section 6.4.5
of the EM&A Manual, “the acoustic results of the monitoring should be analyzed in
terms of both the broadband range (100 Hz to 25.6 kHz) and, also, the dolphin sensitive
range (400 Hz to 12.6 kHz).” The
acoustic data collected from the present underwater noise
study was analyzed between 100 Hz and 50 kHz, in compliance with the
EM&A Manual requirement.
Observers will
log document the recording date, start and end times, hydrophone
and water depths, Beaufort sea state, survey area, and
postamplifier gain in each recording. Wind
speed, often directly correlated with underwater levels, will
be measured and documented in the survey team’s logs.
The wind speed measurements will be performed with a handheld Kestrel 1000 anemometer,
containing an impeller with precision axle and low-friction bearings, providing
0.1 m/s resolution between 0.6–40.0 m/s and an accuracy (calculated using two
standard deviations) of the larger of 3% of the reading, least significant
digit, or 0.1 m/s.
Dolphin Acoustic
Behavioural Study using Dipping Hydrophone
During
dedicated acoustic surveys, the survey team of 2-3 HKCRP researchers will conduct
systematic search for dolphins within the study area. The survey protocol to search for
dolphins is similar to the line-transect survey methodology adopted in the
vessel survey under the AFCD long-term marine mammal monitoring programme (Hung
2012, 2013)()() as well as various HZMB EM&A dolphin
monitoring programmes. For each
survey, a 15-m inboard vessel with an open upper deck will be used to make
observations from the flying bridge area, at a visual height of 4-5 m above
water surface. The two observers
searched with unaided eyes and 7 x 50 marine binoculars ahead of the vessel
(between 270o and 90o in relation to the bow, which is
defined as 0o). The survey team will record effort data including
time, position (latitude and longitude), weather conditions (Beaufort sea state
and visibility), and distance travelled in each series (a continuous period of
search effort) with the assistance of a handheld GPS.
When dolphins are sighted, the survey team will end the
search effort, and the research vessel will be diverted from its course to
slowly approach the animals for group size estimation, assessment of group
composition, and behavioural observations in the initial 5-10 minutes. The dipping hydrophone will then be deployed
3 to 7 metres below the sea surface by 2-metre long spar buoy from the stern of
the research vessel, with vessel engine noise off and the vessel drifting. Broadband dolphin recordings will be made
with the same set of underwater sound recording system as mentioned in Section
2.3.1 (see previous paragraph for detailed description). According to Section 6.4.5
of the EM&A Manual, “the acoustic results of the monitoring should be analyzed in
terms of both the broadband range (100 Hz to 25.6 kHz) and, also, the dolphin sensitive
range (400 Hz to 12.6 kHz).” Dolphin acoustic data collected from the recording
system will be analyzed from 100 Hz and up to 40 kHz, which avoided a hydrophone resonance frequency at 50 kHz. This range would be sufficient to detect
the presence of dolphin acoustic signals and their temporal parameters (e.g.
click intervals), while it is also in compliance with the EM&A Manual
requirement.
During the dipping hydrophone deployment, the date,
start and end times, hydrophone and water depths, Beaufort sea state, survey
area, locations, gain, event, and notes will be taken for each recording in
five-minute intervals. Within each
corresponding five-minute interval, observers will also note variables
including the group size, group composition and general behaviour during the
5-minute period (i.e. feeding, socializing, travelling, resting, milling and
any aerial activity). The number of
vessels that passed within 500 m of the dolphin group will also be recorded
during the same 5-minute interval, with special notes on close approaches by
vessels within 100 m of dolphins, including the time of closest approach and
any behavioural reaction being noted. Distances of vessels will be gathered by
hand-held laser rangefinder (Bushnell Yardage
Pro 800; maximum range of detection for most objects: 720 metres; ranging
accuracy ± 2 metres under most circumstances). Also, notes will be made on the
approximate distance (i.e. 0-250m, 250-500m, >500 m) of the dolphin groups
to the hydrophone during the 5-minute interval. Notably, positions of dolphin group will be
recorded continuously during the entire focal follow session to examine their
movements in detail, especially when they occur in the vicinity of the TM-CLKL
alignment.
Passive Acoustic Monitoring using Ecological Acoustic Recorders
Two sets of EARs will be deployed at two sites in North
Lantau, one near the bored piling site and another at
a control site between Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau. The
EARs will be deployed and recovered by a professional dive team from Oceanway Corporation Limited. During each deployment, the EAR serial
number, as well as the time and date of deployment will be recorded. Moreover, the GPS position, water depth
and type of substrate at the deployment location will also be recorded.
The EARs will
be programmed to record on a 20% duty cycle (1 minute “on” for every 5
minutes). Recordings will be from
approximately 20 Hz at the low end to 32 kHz at the high end, which effectively
covered a major part of the acoustic channel of the Chinese White Dolphins (Sims
et al. 2011)() . Data from the EARs was downloaded onto a
computer hard disk at the end of the baseline monitoring period, and will then
be re-deployed at the same location before the start of bored piling works until
the study is completed at the end of the 30 days of construction phase
monitoring.
7
Environmental
site inspection and audit
Site inspections were carried out on a
weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution
control and mitigation measures under the Contract. In the reporting month, four (4) site
inspections were carried out on 6, 13, 20 and 27 November 2013.
Particular observations during the site
inspections are described below:
Air Quality
The Contractor was reminded to implement
dust suppression measures more frequently, especially on water spraying at Area
5.
Noise
No adverse observation was identified in
the reporting month.
Water Quality
The Contractor was recommended to set up
an appropriate wastewater treatment system in the work site.
Marine Ecology
Pre-translocation
survey at Yam Tsai Wan was conducted on 19 October 2013 and the subsequent
coral translocation and audit survey was carried out at Tai Ho Wan and Yam Tsai
Wan on 24 October 2013. The
post-translocation monitoring is scheduled in January 2014.
Daily
250 m marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken within the
reporting month. No sighting of the
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis were
recorded in November 2013 during the exclusion zone monitoring. In addition, acoustic decoupling
monitoring and marine vessel control were implemented in this reporting month.
Chemical and Waste Management
The
drip tray stopper was found missing for one of the generators in Area 5 which
was then being rectified in timely-manner.
Landscape and Visual Impact
No adverse observation was identified in
the reporting month.
Miscellaneous
The
Environmental Permit was displayed at the site entrance.
The
Contractor has rectified most of the observations as identified during
environmental site inspection in the reporting month. Rectifications of remaining identified
items are undertaken by the Contractor.
Follow-up inspections on the status on provision of mitigation measures
will be conducted to ensure all identified items are mitigated properly.
The Contractor had submitted application
form for registration as chemical waste producer under the Contract. Sufficient numbers of receptacles were
available for general refuse collection and sorting.
As advised by the Contractor, 560 m3
of inert C&D Materials are generated and disposed of in the reporting
period and 37 m3 of inert C&D Materials are disposed of as
public fill. 22.05 tonnes of general refuse were generated and disposed of in
the reporting period. Monthly summary
of waste flow table is detailed in Appendix M.
The Contractor is advised to properly
maintain on site C&D materials and waste collection, sorting and recording
system, dispose of C&D materials and wastes at designated ground and
maximize reuse/ recycle of C&D materials and wastes. The Contractor is reminded to properly
maintain the site tidiness and dispose of the wastes accumulated on site
regularly and properly.
The Contractor is reminded that chemical
waste containers should be properly treated and stored temporarily in
designated chemical waste storage area on site in accordance with the Code of
Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes.
The status of
environmental licensing and permit is summarized in Table 7.1 below.