Keywords:
Water Quality, Halobios, Vegetation
Basic Information of Rambler Channel Typhoon Shelter
Location& History
The rambler channel typhoon shelter is on the east side of the rambler channel. It’s on the north side of the very large scale Kwai Tsing container terminals. Historically, the channel was known as Tsing Yi Mun and Tsing Yi channel. The diagram shows the coastline changes in this area. Because of the development of Tsuen Wan New Town and the Kwai Chung Container Port, the shoreline of the channel has changed rapidly. Before the extensive reclamation, Gin Drinkers Bay was located along the eastern shore of the channel and Tsing Yi Bay was located along the western shore. Three islands once stood in the channel as well.
Hydrology
Diagram 1 shows the water depth in this area.
Darker blue color means deeper depth. The deepest is about 21 meters. We can compare the shelter area with the terminals and see the shelter is kind of nature shaped but the terminal is designed to be in the same depth
Diagram 1 Water Depth
Diagram 2 shows the water current direction and speed in this area. Water current brings nourishment for the fish and that’s why there is a small-scale fishing industry.
Diagram 2 Water Current
Function
The typhoon shelter in the channel is currently part of the cargo working space, with legal and illegal berth place and short-term lease place. (Diagram 3)
Diagram 3 Usage
Environment Issues Related
Water Quality
Because the Typhoon shelter is a port facility that provides refuge for vessels during the advent of typhoons. The embayment has a low flushing capacity and is highly vulnerable to pollution from storm-drains, surface-runoff, and vessels. Contamination of sediments by copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) was commonly observed in the Rambler Channel Typhoon shelter this Shelter is a ‘hot spot’ of metal contamination – 5 or more metals were above their ‘Upper Chemical Exceedance Levels.
Halobios
The concatenation of effects by both nature and human activities.
From a good point of view, water current and the nutrition from the runoff feed the fish in the area which leads to the small-scale fishing industry and more birds. As for the disadvantages, the hazardous substance in the runoff and the noise from both bridges and airplanes over the sky oceanic garbage and vessel sailing disturb the whole marine environment.
Vegetation
From the three photos taken at different times, we can find that at first there is no vegetation on the sandbank. Afterward, there is some wild vegetation growing themselves. Currently, these vegetation are planted intentionally because they are different species and the distribution of them is very regular.
Opportunities and Constraints
Now the typhoon shelter plays a role as a shelter and also the berth and cargo working area and for the fishermen to do their fishing. In the future, we can dig the potential of this area as we can further develop the vegetation on the sandbank of the shelter to build an ecological garden. And because the water pollution here is very characterized, we can set experiential points for a water quality improvement plan. Besides, we can open up specific areas for fishermen to live their fishing life.