Smelly harbours and lifeless waters? Lantau Tomorrow Vision reclamation could add to nearby ‘dead zone’, scientists warn
- Researchers urge impact assessment with discovery of low-oxygen areas near site of proposed artificial islands
- Supporters play down concerns, saying proper study will be done and ecological impact not as significant
A team of researchers conducting a study around the South China Sea told the Post that latest findings indicated two seasonal zones with low oxygen levels to the south and southeast of Lantau Island.
The southeast dead zone was near the proposed 1,700-hectare reclamation site, under the government’s “Lantau Tomorrow Vision” plan to house 1.1 million people in an economic and residential hub.
One scientist in the Ocean-HK study team – comprising researchers from various institutions – warned the reclamation could further weaken the sea’s ability to flush out waste water, causing oxygen depletion, while others urged the government to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment.
But authorities disagreed the area was a dead zone, citing their own positive observation.
