Forum on Hong Kong International Airport - Master Plan 2030 Environmental Issues of a Third Runway at HKIA Presented by Ir. Dr HF Chan on 13 th August 2011
Proposed Third Runway Third Runway Existing Airport
Proposed Third Runway
Major Environmental Issues • Air Quality • Noise • Hydrodynamics • Water Quality • Marine Ecology • Chinese White Dolphin • Fisheries • Waste Management
Minor Environmental Issues • Visual and Landscaping • Marine Archaeology
Air Quality Issues
Background • There are a number of major housing estates around the existing HKIA, e.g. 逸 東邨 , 東薈城 , 東堤灣畔 , etc. • An Air Quality Monitoring Station has been set up at Tung Chung to monitor the air quality after the opening of HKIA and data collection started from 1999.
Location of ASRs Existing/ Planned Commercial/GIC • HKIA Tower • AsiaWorld-Expo • Hotel • Terminals • Catering services buildings • Airline Towers Existing/ Planned Residential • Sha Lo Wan • Tung Chung Town
Formation of Ozone at Ground Level • In the presence of sunlight, ozone is generated from NO 2 � NO + O O + O 2 � O 3 • Ozone is depleted by combination with NO, but the rate is reduced by presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (e.g. aviation fuel) in air NO + O 3 � NO 2 + O 2 • Nitrogen dioxide is also formed from reaction of NO with Oxygen, and this produces another source for ozone in the presence of sunlight NO + O 2 � NO 2
Construction Phase • Increase levels of air-borne dust arising from construction plant, vehicles and barges • Increase levels of air particles, e.g. black smoke, from powered mechanical equipment • Possibly odour emissions from connection/disconnection of sewers
Operation Phase • Airport emissions from aircraft engines, auxiliary power units (APU), on-board generators (when gas turbines off), e.g. NOx, RSP, VOC and photochemical oxidants • Air emissions from ground support equipment, vehicles, government flying services, aviation fuel tanks, aircraft testing and maintenance.
Maximum Annual NO 2 Concentration at 1.5m ARUP. 2010. Air Quality Review for Hong Kong International Airport.
Maximum Annual RSP Concentration at 1.5m
Noise Issues
Background • There are major housing estates around the existing HKIA, e.g. 逸東邨 , 東薈城 , 東 堤灣畔 , etc. • In addition, there are major residentail developments below the flight paths, e.g. Ma Wan
Location of NSRs Tai Lam Chung y a w n u R d r i h T
Construction Phase • Construction noise from use of powered mechanical equipment • Cumulative noise impact from concurrent activities, e.g. HKZNMB, HKBCF, Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link Road
Operation Phase • Aircraft noise during take-off and landing. In 2004, 200 people were living under NEF25 • Operation noise from ground-based plant and equipment, e.g. APU, ground support equipment, e.g. trucks, tractors, loaders, ground-testing noise • Operation noise from fixed equipment, e.g. ventilation noise at airport, hotel and offices.
Noise Contour (Comparison of Alternative R 620,000 ATM to 1998 HKIA Design Capacity) Gold Coast Tai Lam Chung NSR Ma Wan Northern Lantau (e.g. Sha Lo Wan, Tung Chung) Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030
Hydrodynamics
Background • The affected area is in the region of outflow of fresh water from Pearl River and inflow of saline water from the South China Sea • The tidal current is mainly northwest to southeast and southwest
Construction Phase • Erosion of seabed • Change of tidal flow as the reclamation progresses
Operation Phase • Increase current speed in some region and decrease in others • Reduce tidal flow as a result of reclamation and the reduction in channel width and subsequently change tidal flushing capacity of the affected region, and this in turn affects water quality due to inadequate dispersion of pollutants from the various discharge points • Change in tidal flow pattern and hence may affect the salinity, nutrient distribution in water and feeding & breeding of some marine species
Current Distribution in Northwestern Waters at Mid-Ebb Source: Mott MacDonald 2008 Current
Current Distribution in Northwestern Waters at Mid-Flood Source: Mott MacDonald 2008
Water Quality Issues
Background • The water quality is dominated by outflow from Pearl River withh high loading of sediment • Turbidity and nutrient levl are relatively high • The proposed extension may encroach on contaminated mud pits
Location of Contaminated Mud Pit (CMP)
Construction Phase • Dredging and filling for the reclamation, causing increase in SS and subsequent effects on marine ecology, aquatic lives and their habitats in non-CMP areas • Release of previously bound organic and inorganic constituents e.g. heavy metals, PAHs. PCB and nutrients into the water column during dredging and disposal of marine mud • Release of the same contaminants due to leakage and spillage as a result of poor handling and overflow from barges during dredging and transport
Construction Phase (2) • Potential release of sediment fines and contaminants and possibly escape of cement slurry during ground treatment with Deep Cement Mix at CMP • Increase in SS and other land-based pollutants due to surface run-off from construction sites • Disposal or discharge of sewage and packaging and construction material from workforce; spillage of oil, diesel or solvents by vessels and vehicles involved with construction.
Operation Phase • Increase run-off from new land surface will increase pollution of the marine water quality as the run-off is likely to contain pollutants, e.g. oil/grease, fine sediment, organic compounds • Change of hydrodynamics on water quality
Marine Ecology Issues
Background • Polychaetes are the dominant benthic infauna in the affected area. Others include crustacean, sipunculan and echinoderm They are typical of soft bottom seabed fauna in Hong Kong • Corals are typical sub-tidal hard-bottom assemblages in eastern waters but limited in density and diversity in western waters because of rapid fluctuation in salinity and SS. No rare species recorded within the northwestern WCZ • Intertidal habitats include seagrass bed, mangrove, mudflat and artificial seawall. Serve as nursery and breed grounds for horseshoe crabs and intertidal macrofauna. • The Mangrove stand at San Tau Beach SSSI is a very important stand and should be preserved.
Important Habitats Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau The Brother Islands Marine Park Artificial Reefs Seagrass Bed Third Runway Tai Ho Stream SSSI Horseshoe Crabs Nursery Ground San Tau Beach SSSI Western Lantau Mangrov e Mudflat Mott MacDonald. 2009. Hong Kong International Airport Contract P132 – Engineering Feasibility and Environmental Assessment Study for Airport Master Plan 2030 Comparative Environmental Assessment Report AECOM. 2009. Agreement No. CE 52/2007 (HY) Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link – Investigation EIA Report.
Distribution of Corals The Brother Islands Artificial Reefs Artificial Reefs (within Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau MP) Third Runway Chek Lap Kok Artificial Reefs Corals are found in ARs, the Brother Islands, outside Airport Channel Airport Channel Mott MacDonald. 2009. Hong Kong International Airport Contract P132 – Engineering Feasibility and Environmental Assessment Study for Airport Master Plan 2030 Comparative Environmental Assessment Report AECOM. 2009. Agreement No. CE 52/2007 (HY) Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link – Investigation EIA Report.
Species of Conservation Concern Seagrass Bed Mainly located along Northern Lantau coast Third Runway Mudflat Tai Ho Stream SSSI Horseshoe Crabs Breeding & Nursery Ground 欖李 欖李 欖李 欖李 Horseshoe Crab Mangrove San Tau Beach SSSI Mott MacDonald. 2009. Hong Kong International Airport Contract P132 – Engineering Feasibility and Environmental Assessment Study for Airport Master Plan 2030 Comparative Environmental Assessment Report
Construction Phase • Loss of habitat during reclamation • Impact of increased SS on marine ecological sensitive receivers • Disturbance to existing coral and artificial reefs • Increase in SS at water sensitive receivers • Sedimentation rate higher than 0.1 kg/m 2 per day is considered an issue to corals. SS conc of 10 mg/L is an issue to habitat. For fish culture zone, SS should be below 50 mg/L according to AFCD. SS not to exceed by 30% according to WQO.
Operation Phase • Loss of soft-bottom habitat • Loss of coral communities • Loss of feeding grounds for marine lives e.g. CWD
Chinese White Dolphin
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