18-07-2012, 03:09 PM
Environmental Impact Assessment for Ports and Harbour
Environmental Impact Assessment for Ports and Harbour.pptx (Size: 97.38 KB / Downloads: 58)
Introduction
EIA (Environmental impact assessment) is the process of examining the environmental social and health effects of a proposed development.
It assesses the impacts of the proposed development on the environment and enables decision making with respect to environmental clearance.
While expansion of port facilities can make a significant contribution to economic development and the growth of maritime transport, it may also create adverse impacts on the surrounding environment.
Port development and operation should, therefore, be planned with careful consideration of their environmental impacts.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EIA
Port development may create a wide range of impacts on the environment by dredging, construction work, landfills, discharges from ships and waterfront industries, cargo operations, and other port related activities.
The potential adverse effects of port development encompass water pollution, contamination of bottom sediments, loss of bottom habitat, damage to marine
ecology and fisheries, beach erosion, current pattern changes, waste disposal, oil leakage and spillage, hazardous material emissions, air pollution, noise, vibration, visual pollution, and other unhealthy socio-cultural impacts.
IMPACTS OF LOCATION OF PORT
Potential impacts on water quality
Breakwaters and landfills may change current patterns and cause stagnation of water behind the structures. If municipal or industrial effluent flows into a port, stagnant port water may deteriorate through a increase of phytoplankton and a decrease of dissolved oxygen, resulting from eutrophication of water.
IMPACTS OF SHIP TRAFFIC AND DISCHARGES
Potential impacts on water quality
Possible discharges from ships that could be sources of water pollution are bilge water, ballast water, oily wastes, sewage, garbage and other residues in a ship. Spills of oils, lubricants, fuels and other oily liquids may be other sources of water pollution.