Project Data Sheet

PO Box 43, 3350 AA Papendrecht, The NetherlandsTelephone +31 (0)78 69 69 000, telefax +31 (0)78 69 69 555e-mail royal@boskalis.nl, internet www.boskalis.com

INTRODUCTIONThe overall KPIZ Project development includes therelocation of Port Zayed from central Abu Dhabi toAl Taweelah. The new port will be developed on anartificial island and a separate berth island locatedapproximately 4.6 km from shore and connected tothe land by causeways and bridges.KPMC is responsible for the design and constructionof marine structures, dredging and reclamation for thenew port. The dredging and reclamation works of theKPIZ Project, which are being executed by Boskalis,consist of dredging an approach channel and portbasin (total dredging volume of 45 million m3).The dredged material is used for the construction of aport island and the accompanying causeways to thetwo bridges, covering a total area of approximately3.3 km2. In addition, the port construction includesbreakwaters (8.5 km), revetments (15 km) and quaywalls (4.5 km), executed by Consortium partnersArchirodon and Hyundai.

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING OF THE PORT

The Ras Ghanadah coral reef is located less than 1 kmeast of the project area. This area is of global signifi-cance and the largest most single pristine stretch ofcoral communities in the Gulf (Halcrow et al, 2006*). A7 km long environmental breakwater is under con-struction to protect the coral reef area, both during theconstruction and operational phases of the Port.In addition to the vulnerable coral reef, seagrass fieldsare located near the project site. They provide ahabitat for various forms of marine life, including someprotected species such as the dugong (Dugongdugon), green turtle (Chelonia mydas, photo c) andIndo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin (Sousa chinensis).

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM

In order to monitor the impact of the constructionworks on water quality, which is directly related tothe quality of the coral reef, an extensive monitoring

Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) Project, Abu Dhabi

Marine Environmental Monitoring / February 2008 – September 2010

program has been set up. The monitoring program isimplemented to ensure the works comply with thewater quality and sedimentation restrictions.The monitoring activities focus on different aspects:> continuous real-time turbidity measurements at 14permanent monitoring stations around the projectand the environmentally sensitive areas

> daily mobile measurements of turbidity around alloperations

> daily synoptic measurements of turbidity aroundwork areas

> a three-monthly visual inspection of the coral reefarea.

In addition, wave, current, tide and weather stationswere installed to measure the hydrodynamic andmeteorological background conditions for the site(photo d, next page). The marine monitoring programis set-up and executed by Hydronamic, the in-houseengineering consultant of Boskalis.

HYDRONAMIC’S ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS

Over the past decade, Hydronamic has gainedextensive experience in environmental monitoringaround dredging works as the demand from clientsto monitor the impact on the marine environmentrelated to dredging works has increased.In collaboration with the Boskalis survey & electronicsdepartment, the IT department and the Boskalis

a): Coral reef in the Gulf

region.

b): Location map.

c): Seagrass fields are

located near the project

site, providing a habitat

for various protected

species such as

the hawksbill turtle

(eretmochelys imbricata).

This particular turtle is

being relocated from

the project site to the

seagrass fields.

The information contained in this data sheet is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to changes. © Boskalis. All rights reserved.

Client: Abu Dhabi Port Company (ADPC)

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPeriod: 2008 / 2010Contractor: Boskalis Middle East Ltd (dredging

& reclamation) as part of KhalifaPort Marine Consortium (KPMC)

Rosmolenweg 20

P.O. Box 209

3350 AE Papendrecht

The Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0)78 - 69 69 099

Fax: +31 (0)78 - 69 69 555

e-mail: general@hydronamic.nl

internet: www.hydronamic.nl

a)

b)

c)

Dolman laboratory, Hydronamic has furtherprofessionalized its environmental monitoring onthe basis of experience from completed projects.During its environmental monitoring activities,Hydronamic plays a leading role in the preparation ofenvironmental monitoring plans, and posts qualifiedand experienced Environmental Managers andEnvironmental Engineers to Boskalis dredgingprojects.

PERMANENT MONITORING STATIONS

All permanent turbidity monitoring stations areequipped with sensors measuring turbidity (NTU).All real-time turbidity data collected at the fixedmonitoring stations is transmitted to an onshore onlinedatabase and is immediately available for both thecontractor and the client via a web server.A detailed turbidity response procedure has beenestablished in consultation with the client, allowingpreventive measures to be taken swiftly if water qualitythreatens to exceed limits. Given strict environmentalstandards and limits, immediate response requiresmonitoring day and night, 365 days a year (photos eand f).

MOBILE MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Another measure to ensure that water quality limitsat the sensitive receptors surrounding the projectare not exceeded comprises daily mobile turbiditymeasurements downstream of dredging equipmentand reclamation outlets to establish the footprint ofany turbidity plumes. A dedicated monitoring vesseltakes these measurements. Hydronamic also usedthe data measured around dredging equipment tovalidate the numerical plume model used to predictand mitigate sediment plumes in future constructionphases (photos g and h).

CORAL REEF SURVEY

Every three months, video and photographic surveysare conducted to inspect two fixed 1 km transectsalong the coral reef. A number of frames withsedimentation traps are positioned at differentlocations around coral patches on the coral reef toidentify possible sedimentation of fine material andto identify any possible deterioration of the coral reefover time. During each monitoring campaign, the patchwithin the frame is photographed and the amount ofdeposited material is measured. This information isthen compared with previous surveys to determine anysignificant changes in the coral reef.

ADDITIONAL MONITORING

Water samples are taken weekly at all dredging andreclamation activities and analyzed for suspendedsolids concentrations [mg/l], particle size distributionand various chemical and biological parameters suchas dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand andnutrients. An onsite laboratory was build up to carryout immediate analysis (photo i).

CONCLUSIONS

The environmental monitoring program at the KPIZproject was successfully executed against thebackground of the extremely strict environmentalrequirements and limitations. Exceedance of waterquality limits has been very limited and was alwaysdealt with promptly and adequately. In addition, exter-nal surveys conducted throughout the execution of theproject have shown that the impact on the sea grassand the coral reef has been minimal.In 2010 ADPC received The Environment ProtectionAward for the design and construction of Khalifa Portfor the protection of the coral reef.* Halcrow (George, D., MEdio, D. and O’Brien, N). (2006).

The regional and global significance of hard coral found at

Taweelah, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Project Data Sheet

Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone Project (KPIZ), Abu Dhabi (continued)

The information contained in this data sheet is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to changes. © Boskalis. All rights reserved.EP 11 / 2010

d)

e) f)

g)

h) i)

d): Wave, current, tide and

weather stations were

installed to measure the

hydrodynamic

and meteorological

background conditions

for the site.

e): One of the permanent

turbidity monitoring

stations, equipped with

sensors measuring

turbidity (NTU).

f): All real time turbidity data

collected at the fixed

monitoring stations is

transmitted to an onshore

online database.

g): Daily mobile turbidity

measurements are taken

downstream of dredging

equipment and

reclamation outlets to

establish the footprint of

eventual turbidity

plumes.

h): The measurements are

taken with a dedicated

monitoring vessel.

i): On site laboratory work.