Ecological Monitoring for Uncontaminated Mud Disposal

Scientists at Germano & Associates performed a series of Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) surveys in Hong Kong coastal waters for the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Hong Kong Government's Civil Engineering Department. Three SPI surveys were performed in East Lamma Channel to delineate the extent of resuspended fine silt/clay particles that had settled back on the seafloor from sand mining operations for the on-going construction in Penny’s Bay. The objectives of these surveys were to provide field verification of computer predictions for the area of impact and assess the status of the benthic community and rate of recolonization in the affected area. In addition, a comprehensive SPI survey was carried out at the South Cheung Chau dredged material disposal site to delineate the extent of dredged material that had gone outside the designated disposal site boundary and to assess the impacts to ambient fauna. Over 1200 SPI images were collected during the 3 field surveys, with preliminary results defining the zones of impact submitted within 7 days of completing field operations. A comprehensive interpretive report was submitted to the client within 30 days of completing the final survey.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
February - May, 2001

CONTRACT NUMBER:
CE 37/99