The spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals in sediments of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Victoria Harbour has received substantial loadings of pollutants from industrial and municipal wastewater discharged since the 1950s. Inputs of contaminants have declined dramatically during the last two decades as a result of better controls at the source and improved wastewater treatment facilities. To assess the spatial and temporal changes of metal contaminants in sediments in Victoria Harbour, core and grab sediments were collected. The central harbour areas were generally contaminated with heavy metals. The spatial distribution of trace metals can probably be attributed to the proximity of major urban and industrial discharge points, and to the effect of tidal flushing in the harbour. In the sediment cores, the highest concentrations of trace metals were observed to have accumulated during the 1950s-1980s, corresponding with the period of rapid urban and industrial development in Hong Kong. From the late 1980s, there has been a major decline in the concentrations of trace metals, due to a reduction in industrial activities and to the enactment of wastewater pollution controls in the territory. The Pb isotopic compositions of the sediments revealed the anthropogenic inputs of Pb to the harbour. The (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios varied from 1.154 to 1.190, which were lower than those of background geological materials in Hong Kong ((206)Pb/(207)Pb: 1.201-1.279). The data also indicated that the Pb in the harbour sediments most likely originated from mixed sources, including the leaded gasoline used in the past and other anthropogenic sources.     

The toxicity of marine sediments in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

When the toxicity of marine sediment in Hong Kong was evaluated, it was found that the seven sediments collected within Victoria Harbour were severely contaminated with heavy metals, at concentrations many times higher than those in sediments collected from outside the harbour. The highest metal content was recorded in site VS14 (located near the airport runway and the industrialized area), with copper, zinc, lead and chromium values of 3789, 610, 138 and 601 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt, respectively. This site also had the greatest alkaline phosphatase activities (15 fluorescent intensity unit g⁻¹ wet wt), the largest number of total coliforms (910 CFU g⁻¹ wet wt) and sulphate-reducing bacteria (8.5 × 10⁴ cells g⁻¹ wet wt), implying that site VS14 was also contaminated with organic matter and nutrients. Sediment bioassays, Microtox and algal tests, demonstrated that sediment elutriates obtained from site VS14 were of greatest toxicity. The EC₁₀ value in Microtox tests was 17% elutriate, and the 96-h IC₅₀ values using Skeletonema costatum and Dunaliella tertiolecta were 40 and 79% elutriate, respectively. No toxic effects were found in sediment samples collected from the control site outside Victoria Harbour. Significant correlations were found between the results of the algal toxicity test (using S. costatum) and the coliform count and metal content of the sediments. The Microtox test was less sensitive than the algal bioassay, and no sediment elutriate, even from the site mostly contaminated by heavy metals, caused more than 50% inhibition of the light-emitting activity of the bacteria. In this study, S. costatum (the diatom) provided a more sensitive and reliable test species than D. tertiolecta (the flagellate) in differentiating the toxicity of marine sediments.     

Antibiotics in the Hong Kong metropolitan area: Ubiquitous distribution and fate in Victoria Harbour

We investigated the presence and fate of 16 antibiotics belonging to seven groups (β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, trimethoprim and amphenicols) in effluents of sewage plants and receiving waters in Hong Kong. Cefalexin, amoxicillin, ofloxacin and erythromycin-H₂O were ubiquitous in sea water throughout Victoria Harbour, indicating continuous discharge to the environment. This is one of the few studies reporting the frequent occurrence of cefalexin and amoxicillin in sewage effluents and sea water (170-5070 and 64-1670 ng/L in sewage; 6.1-493 and 0.64-76 ng/L in sea water, respectively). Mass flows from seven sewage plants discharged an estimated total of 14.4 kg/day to the Harbour. Typhoon shelters also appeared to play an important role as sources of antibiotics, as evidenced by elevated concentrations within their boundaries. Mass balance estimations suggested significant quantities of antibiotics are discharged to the Harbour without passage through treatment plants.     

Spectral analysis of storm surge in Hong Kong Victoria Harbour

Based on a linear model the dynamic characteristics of Victoria Harbour (Hong Kong) is obtained by means of spectral analysis of the storm surge hydrographs. The results show that the harbour is an ideal one which has a small gain factor and a flat response in the frequency range from 0 to 6 × 10⁻⁵ Hz. The results also show that the power spectra possess the narrow band features which indicates that the periodic components associated with tidal motions are predominant over the random components. The power spectrum corresponding to a frequency of 2.3 × 10⁻⁵ Hz is likely to be associated with the astronomical tides. The peaks in the power spectra at zero frequency suggest that the pumping mode of oscillations is dominant in a storm surge. This mode of oscillations represents the temporal variations in mean sea level. To demonstrate the full potential of the present model, more case studies should be conducted when surge as well as non-surge data are available.     

Spatial and temporal variations of heavy metal contamination in sediments of a mangrove swamp in Hong Kong

Spatial and temporal variations of heavy metal contamination in sediments of a small mangrove stand in Hong Kong were examined by laying two transects perpendicular across the shore. Surface sediment samples were taken along the two transects running landward to seaward at intervals of 5 or 10 m during December 1989, and March, July and September 1990. Total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb did not show any specific trend along each transect, although the maximum concentration of heavy metals tended to occur at the landward edge. There was a high level of variability among locations within each transect; for instance, the Cu concentrations fluctuated from 1 to 42 μg g⁻¹. Certain sites contained exceptionally high levels of total metals. Total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb as high as 42, 150, 640 and 650 μg g⁻¹, respectively, were recorded, implying contaminated sediment. A comparison of the two transects indicated that the sediments of Transect B seemed to contain higher total Zn but lower Cu and Mn concentrations than those of Transect A. Most of the heavy metals accumulated in the sediments were not extractable with ammonium acetate and no Cu or Pb was detected in these extracts. The concentrations of extractable Zn and Mn were low, less than 10% of the total metal concentration in the sediment, and appeared to decrease from the landward to seaward samples. For both total and extractable metals, there were significant seasonal fluctuations for both transects, but no specific trends could be identified. These spatial and temporal variations suggest that the scale and representativeness of sampling require careful planning, and a single sample might not give a satisfactory evaluation of the levels of heavy metal contamination in mangrove ecosystems.     

Marine meiobenthic and nematode community structure in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong upon recovery from sewage pollution

Sediment quality, meiofaunal and nematode communities were monitored across six time points at two inside-harbour and three outside-harbour sites over a three-year period in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, after the implementation of a sewage treatment project. Twenty-one meiofaunal groups comprising mainly free-living nematodes and harpacticoid copepods and 188 species of free-living nematodes were identified. The outside-harbour area had a more diverse and significantly different nematode community structure as compared to that in the inside-harbour area. Such spatial difference was highly correlated with the total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of the sediments. Over the study period, there was no significant improvement in sediment quality within the harbour. However, in the last sampling time, an increase in meiofaunal abundance and a closer similarity in nematode composition between one of the inside- and outside-harbour sites suggested signs of recovery of the meiofauna as a response to abatement of sewage pollution.     

Marine meiobenthic and nematode community structure in Victoria Harbour,Hong Kong upon recovery from sewage pollution

Sediment quality, meiofaunal and nematode communities were monitored across six time points at two inside-harbour and three outside-harbour sites over a three-year period in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, after the implementation of a sewage treatment project. Twenty-one meiofaunal groups comprising mainly free-living nematodes and harpacticoid copepods and 188 species of free-living nematodes were identified. The outside-harbour area had a more diverse and significantly different nematode community structure as compared to that in the inside-harbour area. Such spatial difference was highly correlated with the total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of the sediments. Over the study period, there was no significant improvement in sediment quality within the harbour. However, in the last sampling time, an increase in meiofaunal abundance and a closer similarity in nematode composition between one of the inside- and outside-harbour sites suggested signs of recovery of the meiofauna as a response to abatement of sewage pollution.     

Eutrophication Dynamics of Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong

The time and spatial variation of water quality in Tolo Harbour, a eutrophic landlocked semi-enclosed bay frequented by algal blooms, is studied using a dynamic eutrophication model. Hourly changes of tide levels and currents are computed by a link-node model assuming M₂ tidal forcing. Phytoplankton growth is assumed to be limited by solar radiation, nitrogen and temperature. The model incorporates light acclimation by algae, self-shading, photosynthetic production, nutrient uptake, and a dynamic determination of the carbon to chlorophyll ratio. In particular, sediment-water-pollutant interactions are modelled via an anaerobic benthic layer segment. Using recorded pollution loads and environmental forcing as input, the model predictions of daily-averaged water quality are compared with the extensive water quality monitoring data of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The predicted spatial distribution and trends of algal biomass, inorganic nitrogen, dissolved oxygen (DO), as well as sediment oxygen demand (SOD), are in general agreement with field observations.     

Metal Concentrations in Tissues of Rabbitfish (Siganus oramin) Collected from Tolo Harbour and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong

Rabbitfish (Siganus oramin, also known as Siganus canaliculatus) samples were collected from different coastal sites in the Victoria Harbour and Tolo Harbour in the summer of 1997 for the analyses of metal (cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc) concentrations in liver, gills, and muscle. The overall metal concentrations in rabbitfish tissues were below regulatory levels implemented through the government of Hong Kong. For cadmium and lead, the metal concentrations detected were place concentrations here. Generally speaking, the metal concentrations in liver samples were higher than that of gills and muscle. However, the mean values of lead concentrations of rabbitfish from the Tolo Harbour and Victoria Harbour are higher in the gills than in the livers.     

Long-term Circulation and Eutrophication Model for Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

Since the early 1980s excessive discharges of organic waste into Tolo Harbour have created serious problems through nutrient enrichment. A number of eutrophication related problems have been reported which incurred financial losses of billions of dollars and serious ecological imbalance. This work addresses the development, verification and application of a water quality model to synthesize the available large database of water quality and to study water quality management issues of Tolo Harbour. Since detrimental water quality problems usually occur during summer when there is stratification and the water temperature is high, the tidally-averaged hydrodynamics and the relative contribution of gravitational circulation and tidal exchanges in Tolo Harbour have been studied. Gravitational circulation is found to be the dominant mixing process for most of the year, accounting for 70 percent of the mixing. A simple and tractable predictive two-layer mass transport and diagenetic dynamic eutrophication model has been developed. The model computes daily variation of key water quality variables in the water column: algal biomass, dissolved oxygen, organic-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, and carboneous oxygen demand. In addition, to study the response and impact of the seabed to the overall eutrophication process a sediment sub-model is developed. The diagenetic sediment sub-model computes explicitly the amount of nutrient recycled and the sediment oxygen demand exerted on the water column. The calibrated model has been validated against a 20 year water quality data base under a wide range of hydro-meteorological and environmental conditions. Both spatial and seasonal variation of observed water quality variables are reproduced. The verified model shows that a significant reduction of total nitrogen loading would be required to meet the water quality objectives, with a recovery time of three months for water column and more than two years for sediment.     

The distribution of heavy metals including Pb,Cd and Cr in Kendari Bay surficial sediments

The surficial coastal sediments in Kendari Bay are sampled in the field to determine the concentration and pollution level of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr). Twenty-five sampling points ranging from the inner (Wanggu River) to the outer area of the bay have been chosen. The physicochemical properties, such as temperature, pH, salinity and TDS of the overlying water, as well as the sediment type and TOC of the surficial sediments, are also measured. The total concentrations of the Pb, Cd and Cr in the sediment samples are quantified using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) ranged from 0.84 to 17.02 μg/g, 0.02 to 0.17 μg/g and 1.92 to 40.11 μg/g (dry weight), respectively, following the Cr > Pb > Cd sequence. To assess the degree of contamination, a geoaccumulation index (I_geo) is measured. Kendari Bay is not a contaminated area regarding Pb, Cd and Cr.     

Some Observations on the Changes of Physico-Chemical and Biological Factors in Victoria Harbour and Vicinity, Hong Kong, 1988–1996

This study analysed monthly physico-chemical and biological data collected from 18 marine monitoring stations in Victoria Harbour and its vicinity in Hong Kong, from 1988 to 1996. Cluster analysis based on all water quality parameters measured shows that the 18 monitoring stations can be grouped into four clusters: Cluster I consists of stations located in the Harbour proper; Cluster II consists of stations located west of the Harbour and along the Rambler Channel; Cluster III consists of stations located east of the Harbour near Junk Bay and Cluster IV consists of stations located west of the Harbour and near the Ma Wan, Kap Shui Mun and Western Fairways. Factor analysis shows high positive loadings for nutrients in the first two factors of the four clusters. This suggests that effluents from the 11 outfalls of sewage screening plants influence the water quality of Victoria Harbour and its vicinity. Other factors such as storm water runoff, marine traffic, construction and industrial activities and the Pearl River discharges also appear to play an important role in determining local water quality. Five stations located along an east–west transect across the Harbour were selected for trend analysis. The three stations located in the Harbour exhibit an increasing trend for temperature and levels of total phosphorus (TP), ortho-phosphate phosphorous (PO₄-P) and faecal bacteria and a decreasing trend for pH and levels of total nitrogen (TN), total kjeldahl-nitrogen (TKN), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) and chlorophyll a. For the station located east of the Harbour, an increasing trend is observed for levels of TP, PO₄-P, but no decreasing trend in TN and TKN is detected. For the station located west of the Harbour, no decreasing trend in TN, TKN and chlorophyll a is observed. Changes in levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in Victoria Harbour and the immediate vicinity have led to significant increases in the ratios of Total Silica (TSi) to TN, as well as a decrease in TN to TP and TSi to TP in most stations. Results of the present study show that Victoria Harbour and its immediate vicinity remain polluted.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in Hong Kong's marine sediments and their human impacts: a GIS-based chemometric approach

A geographic information system (GIS)-based chemometric approach was applied to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of heavy metals in marine sediments and to identify spatial human impacts on global and local scales. Twelve metals (Zn, V, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Ba, Hg, Fe, Cr and Al) were surveyed twice annually at 59 sites in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2004. Cluster analysis classified the entire coastal area into three areas on a global scale, representing different pollution levels. Backward discriminant analysis, with 84.5% correct assignments, identified Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, V, and Fe as significant variables affecting spatial variation on a local scale. Enrichment factors indicated that Cu, Cr, and Zn were derived from human impacts while Al, Ba, Mn, V and Fe originated from rock weathering. Principal component analysis further subdivided human impacts and their affected areas in each area, explaining 87%, 84% and 87% of the total variances, respectively. The primary anthropogenic sources in the three areas were (i) anti-fouling paint and domestic sewage; (ii) surface runoff, wastewater, vehicle emissions and marine transportation; and (iii) ship repainting, dental clinics, electronic/chemical industries and leaded fuel, respectively. Moreover, GIS-based spatial analysis facilitated chemometric methods.     

Trace metals in Hong Kong waters

Hong Kong has a population of between four and five million and is becoming increasingly industrialized. Already there are some 19,000 factories concentrated in a few densely populated areas and most of the effluent and sewage is discharged untreated into the sea. Elevated heavy metal concentrations have been recorded in the receiving waters. Lead has 160 times and cadmium 180 times the concentration found in the open ocean.     

Levels and spatial distribution of heavy metals in urban dust in China

Many studies have been conducted on heavy metal concentrations in urban outdoor dust in China,showing that differences exist in the metal concentrations of different cities. However, no report has studied the distribution of heavy metals across Chinese cities. This work presents the spatial distribution of heavy metals in urban outdoor dust in Chinese cities and discusses the causes for the differences in heavy metal levels across cities by analyzing and summarizing data for 20 provincial capitals from the published scientific literature. The results show that the geometric mean values of Ni and Cr in urban dust of China are lower than or comparable to crustal levels, whereas levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn are significantly greater than crustal levels. The spatial distributions of Cu, Pb, and Zn in urban dust all exhibit a pattern in which heavy metal levels are greater in cities located in the south of China than in the north. Commercial areas and residential-education areas accumulate more Cd in their dust than industrial areas and traffic areas, and industrial areas and residential-education areas accumulate more Pb than commercial areas and traffic areas. The Zn level in dust from industrial areas is significantly greater than in other areas, and Cu exhibits no significant difference between different functional areas. A positive correlation exists between Cd and Zn in urban dust and population density. Urban dust Pb in Chinese cities is lower than the world average as calculated using data for thirteen cities in different countries. Cd, Cu, and Zn levels in China are close to world averages.     

Influences of ammonia-nitrogen and dissolved oxygen on lysosomal integrity in green-lipped mussel Perna viridis: laboratory evaluation and field validation in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Lysosomal integrity in mussels has been applied as a biomarker to detect the pollution of trace organics and metals in the natural environments. However, few studies have examined the effects of water quality on the response of lysosomal integrity, in particular total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) and dissolved oxygen (DO). This study demonstrated that high level of TAN (2.0 mg/l) and low DO (2.5 mg O₂/l) could significantly reduce the lysosomal integrity in green-lipped mussel Perna viridis, respectively by 33% and 38%, whereas the mussel lysosomal integrity decreased by 70% in the combined treatment of TAN and low DO under laboratory conditions after one week. The mussel lysosomal integrity of all treatment groups could return to the control level after a three week recovery period. In the field validation in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong during an one-year study period, lysosomal integrity in P. viridis identified the cleanest site east to the harbour, where the lowest TAN and highest DO concentrations were found. While lysosomal integrity in mussels seemed not affected by seasonal changes, approximately 40% of the variation of this biomarker could be attributable to the changes in TAN and DO in seawater. In conclusion, the response of the mussel lysosomal integrity can be confounded by both TAN and DO prevailing in the natural environments and thus caution must be exercised in relating the observed changes in lysosomal integrity to any specific pollutant in coastal water quality monitoring studies.     

Combined effects of land reclamation,channel dredging upon the bioavailable concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Victoria Harbour sediment,Hong Kong

The up-to-date concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment materials of Victoria Harbour was investigated so as to evaluate the pollution potential associated with the reclamation projects in Hong Kong. A total of 100 sediment samples were collected at 20 locations. Except the control point in reservoir, the PAHs concentrations were detectable levels all sites (131–628.3 ng/g, dw) and such values were higher than Dutch Target and Intervention Values (the New Dutch standard in 2016). The PAHs concentration indicating that construction waste and wastewater discharges were the main pollutant sources. Results of correlation in single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) studies also revealed that the PAHs concentration was highly correlated (< 0.01) with DNA migration (i.e. the length of tail moment of fish cells) in 5 mg/ml of PAHs. The above observation indicates that the PAHs present in the sediment may substantially effect the marine ecosystem. Although the dredged sediment can be a useful sea-filling material for land reclamation; however, the continuing leaching of PAHs and its impact on the aquatic environment need to be studied further.