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Impact of Ship Breaking Activities on Coastal Water and Its Ecosystem of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Noman Ahmad Siddiquee
Head
Dept. of Zoology, Omargani MES University College, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Md. Hashibul Islam
Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Analysis of water parameters of the surveyed area reveal that the adjacent water body is significantly deteriorated and the abundance of phytoplankton, fishes and shrimps have declined sharply. Huge amount of crude oil, bilge water, ballast water, hold washings are indiscriminately discharged into the coastal water causing serious pollution. Grain of iron gradually spread over the adjacent areas. In the chemical analysis of water samples, it was found that the pH in the affected sites varied from 7.3 to 8.95, which is higher than standard value. In the control site it was from 7.2 to 8.5 with an average of 5.9. The higher values were due to the manifold activities of ship breaking on the coast. Higher salinity was observed during winter months and lowest in rainy season due to surface run off in rainy season. Dissolve Oxygen (DO) varied from 4.4 to 6.5 mg/l in the affected sites. Small variation of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was observed among the stations. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) varied from 6.87 to 18.85 mg/l and 4 to 4.3 mg/l in the affected and control site respectively. Highest BOD was recorded at Salimpur as 18.85 mg/l during pre monsoon. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) varied from 210 to 480 mg/l and 20 to 30 mg/l in the affected and control site respectively. Highest COD was recorded at Bhatiari during pre monsoon. The higher concentration of COD may be due to the discharge of various refuse oils and oily substances, dyes, chemicals, iron pieces, various types of metals dust etc. from the ship breaking yards. Pollutants are also discharged from the Sitakunda industrial area into the run-off open to the Bay. The values of Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) were varied from 221 to 430 mg/l and 5381 to 19510 mg/l in the affected site and 250 to 400 mg/l and 5870 to 9245 mg/l in the control site respectively. Higher concentration in the affected site was due to discharge of metal rusts, solids, dyes, erosion of soil etc. Oil and Ammonia (NH3) content varied from 3.5 to 193.7 mg/l and 2.1 to 3.16 mg/l in the affected sites where as 10.5 to 15.2 mg/l and 0.21 to 0.3 mg/l in the control site. The catch has declined in the tune of at least 50 to 60% of what was two decades ago. From the analysis of composition several species like Indian Salmon, Grouper, Shads etc. were found to be extinct this region. This incident has got serious implication in the context of survival of such a disgraced community. Due to the deterioration of the water body, fishes are moving away from this area into the deep sea. Many coastal fishermen are leaving their hereditary profession and moving around everyday as ‘environmental refugees’ from a state of unemployed and poverty to underemployment and grim poverty. Analysis of phytoplankton showed that during monsoon, Aanabaena (26.37%), Clostratrum(10.98%) and Coscinodiscus (21.97%), Euglena (9.89%) and Zygnema (30.76%) and during post monsoon Coscinodiscus (97.5%) and Euglena (2.5%) dominated in the affected site. In the control site of Sandwip, these were dominated as 30.41%, 19.46%; 17.03%; 9.73%; 23.35% in the monsoon and 94.73% and 5.26% respectively in the post monsoon. Calanoida, Cyclopedia, Sagitta, Lucifer etc in the monsoon and Calanoida; Acetes shrimp; Lucifer and Zoea in the post monsoon were dominated in the affected site as revealed during zooplankton analysis whereas in the control site the dominant zooplankton were found as Calanoida, Cylpclpedia, Sagitta and Zoea during the post monsoon and Calanoida; Acetes shrimp, Lucifer, Cladocera and Zoea in the post monsoon respectively. Government should take proper step in this respect in time.

Keywords: Ship breaking, Coastal water, Ecosystem, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Impact

Objectives:

Research objectives of the investigation were:
1. To find out the types and concentrations of pollutants in the SBY.
2. To reveal direct relationship between SBA and fish diversity depletion
3. To focus the linkage between SBA and the livelihoods of the fishermen community.

Methodology:

Selection of the study area: The coastal area from Bhatiary to Kumira extending about 10 km of the ship breaking activities and the eastern side of Sandwip island have been selected as the investigated area considering Bhatiary-Kumira the most affected site and Shiberhat to Guptachara ghat of the eastern side of Sandwip the control site. The eastern side of Sandwip has been considered as control site because these are diagonally opposite and off the SBYs and the water and soil qualities are apparently free from pollutants as revealed from the earlier studies. Data Collection: The study was based on both primary and secondary data. To better understanding the driving forces of the impact of ship breaking activities, PRA, questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted at different levels of target stakeholders. Interviews with the ship breaking yards owners, affected communities and local representatives were carried out to explore their perception, concerns and interests. Secondary data such as topographic maps and land use data of the study area annual reports and documents of relevant agencies, policy documents on SBA were collected to validate the field observation. Sample collection: Sea water, phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected and preserved simultaneously during high tide from the four sampling stations Salimpur, Bhatiary, Sonaichari and Kumira of the affected sites follwing standard procedures during premonsoon and monsoon. Water, phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were analyzed following standard procedure in different laboratories including BRTC of BUET, BCSIR Laboratories of Chittagong.

Source of Information: International Conference on Water & Flood Management (ICWFM-2007), 12 - 14 March 2007, BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is clear that the ship breaking activities is causing serious problem to our environment. Governent and concern organisations could take the following steps in this regards for the betterment of our sustainable environment.
• Government can confine the ship breaking activities in certain area between Bhatiary and Sonaichari.
• Department Government can confine the type of ship which is free from sever hazards like heavy water, neuclear waste.
• Government can also establish a ‘Central Wastage Treatment Plant’ where bilge water, oil and oily wastes and chemicals can be treated before discharging into the sea.
• Government can initiate a ‘Scrapping Tax Fund’ from the revenue given by the SBY owners. This fund will be utilized for the compensation and rehabilitation of the fishermen’s loss
• A ‘National Ship Breaking Industries Monitoring and Evaluation Cell’ can be formed including members from Department of Environment, Department of Fisheries, Marine Pollution Experts and Socioeconomists.
• Department of Environment and Department of Fisheries should attribute a guideline for the Ship Breaking Yards in the light of a survey on the fish diversity of the adjacent area and socioeconomic status of the fisher folks.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings