Consultancy services
Since its establishment in 1997, the Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences (CIES), HKBU, has been involved in research and consultancy projects, ecological studies and environmental impact assessments. With a team of experienced staff, the Institute will continue to provide support and professional advice in natural resources and environmental management. Below are some of the consultancy services offered by CIES:
Chemical Analysis of Waste and Wastewater
CIES is equipped with a wide range of analytical equipment such as microtox, gas chromatography system with MSD, graphite furnace and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, high pressure liquid chromatography system and inductively coupled plasma spectrometer for analyzing waste, wastewater and biological samples.
Environmental Monitoring
Rapid urbanization and economic development in both Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta cities are leading to environmental deterioration of the region. Monitoring of pollutants is indispensable in assessing the state of our environment and in improving the quality of life.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment is becoming an essential part of any development plan in most countries, including Hong Kong. CIES, with its expertise and abundant research experience, is qualified to provide professional services on Environmental Impact Assessment.
Environmental Toxicology
The increase in environmental contaminants due to human activities poses a serious problem to living organisms, both plants and animals. Methods have been developed in assessing environmental toxicants, by means of biotoxicity tests using local organisms.
Sediment Toxicity Assessment
Dredging, reclamation and site formation activities in Hong Kong have disturbed the chemical equilibrium of pollutants entrapped in the sediments and pose a significant threat to the marine ecosystem, especially in designated marine parks. Chemical characterization and biotoxicity tests are used to assess dredged sediments before their final disposal.
Management and Recycling of Wastes
Sewage sludge and coal fly ash are the major solid wastes produced from wastewater treatment plants and coal-fired power plants respectively. Currently, sewage sludge is disposed of by landfilling or marine dumping while fly ash is "lagooned". Both methods preclude the future reuse of valuable resources in these wastes. Therefore research has been carried out at CIES to develop the means to treat and recycle sludge and fly ash through composting technology and artificial soil mix.
Wastewater Treatment
The discharge of domestic, agricultural and industrial effluent into our water bodies has resulted in serious damage to the aquatic environment. At CIES, research has been conducted into developing biological and chemical methods for treating organic enriched sewage and heavy metal polluted industrial effluents, respectively.
Remediation of Contaminated Land
Land contamination leads to the reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity. We have investigated different remediation and management strategies of contaminated lands such as plant colonization on toxic mine tailings, and effects of leachate irrigation on the growth of legume plants.
Landfill Research
Landfilling is the main method for disposal of solid wastes in Hong Kong. Completed landfills require restoration and will become an additional source of land for redevelopment and can be turned into recreational parks. Landfill gas and leachate are the major factors affecting restoration and revegetation. The choice of suitable plant species and their successful colonization on landfills are highly essential in order to achieve landfill restoration.
Fish Feed Formulation
High potency fish feeds" have been developed jointly with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department for marine fish culture. Active ingredients are incorporated into fish feeds, which result in a faster growth rate of fish. The project is sponsored by the Industrial Department.