Coastal waters of Shenzhen seriously polluted
May 31, 2012 Category Environment, Pollution
Nearly half of Shenzhen’s coastal waters were found to be seriously contaminated last year, and nine sewage drainage lines were found to be discharging excessive pollutants, according to a maritime study. The problem could worsen this year, as some temporary efforts to improve water quality last year for the World University Games are no longer in effect. The 2011 study, issued by Shenzhen’s Urban Planning and Land Resources Commission, found a total of 565 square kilometers of seriously contaminated seawater. Of the remaining waters, 145 sq km were lightly or moderately polluted, and 435 sq km were clean. The contaminated waters were concentrated in Deep Bay and at the mouth of the Pearl River. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphates were the major pollutants. Though the report covered only waters off Shenzhen, Professor Xu Hong, who has taught marine chemistry at Shenzhen University, said that the contaminated water could make its way to other areas, including Hong Kong. He blamed illicit discharging of pollutants, along with a lack of oversight, for the heavy pollution. “The government has been addressing excessive discharge through campaigns rather than regular monitoring and checks,” he said. In the bays of Dapeng and Daya, both in east Shenzhen, the water was relatively clean. Most areas off Shenzhen where seafood and other marine products are farmed met safety standards, as they are mostly in the east.
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