Vietnamese Updates: Hai Phong: France supports doing research on clarifying pollution in Bach Dang estuary (16 Aug 2013)

Hai Phong: France supports doing research on clarifying pollution in Bach Dang estuary
Thứ sáu, ngày 16 tháng 08 năm 2013 cập nhật lúc 05:24




According to the topic "Research on human impacts and hydrodynamics on the community of ephemera vegetation and floating bacteria in Bach Dang river estuary" implemented by the Vietnam Institute of Marine Natural Resources and Environment in coordination with the Institut de Recherche pour le dévelopment - IRD (French Republic), Bach Dang estuary to the sea in Hai Phong has an important position on the ecology and environment of the northern coastal system. However, 17 sample surveys in this estuary during 3 years (2008-2010) showed that the concentration of pollutants in Bach Dang estuary has exceeded the permitted level.

The survey showed that the annual volume of seafood of tidal region in Bach Dang estuary is very large with 4.5 tons of snout otter clam; 2,000 tons of blood cockles, 3,000 tons of feather cockles; 5,000 tons of clams. Tide brought the young mollusks in tidal region. The tidal flat from the border of Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh) to Do Son (Hai Phong) is the living place of clams, oysters with huge reserves. In Hon Dau, Do Son, Cat Ba, there are huge reserves of blue and brown mussels. This is also a good habitat for 262 species of mollusks, including 93 genera, 6 layers of algae. Especially, ephemera animals are up to 77 species, 44 varieties, 34 tontines and 5 branches, and 9 other groups as larva of shrimp, fish, molluscs, etc.

Recently, the turbidity influence of coastal water clearly increases in the beach areas; causing water contamination and damage to tourism and coral death; reducing primary productivity of phytoplankton by limiting photosynthetic. The aquatic species and characteristic ecosystem including mangroves, sea grass and coral reefs, etc. at the Bach Dang river estuary are threatened by industrialization and the unawareness of people in environmental protection. The lack of planning of drainage infrastructure system, collection and treatment of solid waste and sanitation in industrial development are the main causes leading to degradation of the estuarine environment.

Under the support of the IRD, the monitoring results showed that pollution index is seriously concerned. The average nitrite concentrations exceeded the permitted limit, ammonium concentration approximately reaches the permitted limit, the silicate concentration exceeded the permitted limits to aquaculture water. Bach Dang estuary is polluted by lubricant from 2.2 to 3.6 times. It shows the signs of copper, zinc and mercury pollution. Oil pollution tends to increase. Coefficient of oil pollution in the sediment increased from 0.7 in 2001 to 2.4 in 2008. Transportation activities of petroleum in the area increase the environmental sensitivity, hiding risks of serious environmental incidents. According to the assessment of the experts, estuary region is capable of releasing pollutants from mainland to the sea, in opposite, it, can carry pollutants from the sea back to the estuary.

Environment and ecosystems of coastal estuaries, especially mangroves, sea grass and coral reefs are often very sensitive and vulnerable. Bach Dang estuary suffers not only from the impacts of economic-social development and population growth, but also from factors across borders due to the biggest seaport in the North. Therefore, in addition to the efforts of local authorities, Hai Phong expects to receive international support in order to continue researching, planning, investing in infrastructure so that the weakening of the estuary would not cause consequences to Hai Phong seaport area.

K.Linh

Source: 

http://www.monre.gov.vn/v35/default.aspx?tabid=675&CateID=58&ID=128918&Code=9XEH128918