Environmental monitoring during the construction of the Jebel Ali new container terminal
Van Parys, M. (2006). Environmental monitoring during the construction of the Jebel Ali new container terminal, in: Evolutions in hydrography, 6th - 9th November 2006, Provincial House Antwerp, Belgium: Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies. Special Publication (Hydrographic Society), 55: pp. 18-22
In: (2006). Evolutions in hydrography, 6th - 9th November 2006, Provincial House Antwerp, Belgium: Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies. Special Publication (Hydrographic Society), 55. International Federation of Hydrographic Society: London. 234 + cd-rom pp., more
In: Special Publication (Hydrographic Society). Hydrographic Society: London. ISSN 0309-8303, more
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Document type: Conference paper
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| Keywords |
Anchorages > Harbours > Ferry terminals
Construction
Monitoring > Environmental monitoring
ISW, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Jebel Ali Harbour
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
This report provides an analysis and evaluation of the environmental impact during the initial dredging stage of the Jebel Ali New Container Terminal (6/12/2005 - 10/03/2006). Methods of analysis include continuous turbidity monitoring, weekly water sampling for chemical and suspended sediment tests, and the set up of a hydro-meteo database. The dredged trench material is relocated a few kilometers further offshore, into the Reclamation Area and the Stilling Basin. The generated sediment plume is monitored both by mobile and fixed monitoring. During the trench dredging, the turbidity remained well within threshold levels imposed by the client. However with the CSD Marco Polo moving up closer towards the fixed monitoring stations, it has to be kept in mind that the monitoring platforms, which had to be installed very close to the dredging area due to safety reasons (outside the pipelines corridor), will be situated within the influence radius of the sediment plume. The chemical composition of the seawater showed no significant variance due to the dredging. When the dredging activities were halted during bad weather conditions, it was noticed that the levels of turbidity around the fixed monitoring stations were much higher than while dredging works were going on. Due to the enforced action of wind, wave and current, the sediment is brought into suspension. So these natural actors also have an impact on the natural increased turbidity and were causing values of suspended sediment in the seawater reaching the threshold determined for dredging activities. Already can be stated that under influence of bad weather much higher turbidity values are reached than dredging works have done up until now. Unfortunately the rough conditions at sea make it impossible to execute a synoptic monitoring at the same time to check and verify the turbidity values at the other mobile locations. Biofouling of the optical scatter instruments results into over-estimated turbidity values. Every sensor needs regularly cleaning. With increasing seawater temperatures the biofouling will speed up. One has to consider to apply anti-fouling agents in order to control the growth of bacteria and algaes. In general it can be concluded that further detailed and thorough investigation is necessary seen the increasing importance of issues related to marine coastal environments, not only for this project, but also in other regions. The strict way in which this project is handled can be used as a model for future environmental monitoring programs and impact assessments. |
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