ECF Paper XX/2009-10

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Project Number

Project Title

Principal
Investigator (PI)

Project Summary

Project Duration

Total Amount
Approved

Financial Status
(as at project end
date on
30 November 2013)

Environmental Research, Technology Demonstration and Conference Projects

Project Completion

ECF Paper 24/2015-16
For Discussion

07/2009

Study of photochemical air pollution in Hong Kong

Prof Tao WANG, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The main purpose of the project is to advance the knowledge of atmospheric
science, provide scientific support to the governments of HKSAR and
Guangdong in mitigating photochemical smog, and develop research tools and
human resources for long-term management of air quality in the region

48 months (From 2 July 2010 to 1 July 2014)

$6,554,936

Up to the present, eight disbursements totalling $5,899,000 were issued to
the recipient organization. According to the financial statement submitted
by the PI at the end of the project, the total expenditure of the approved
budget items amounted to $6,340,952.15, as shown in the Budget &
Expenditure Table below which has been examined and supported by the
Research Projects Vetting Subcommittee (RPVSC):

Budget & Expenditure Table

Item

Approved Budget ($)
(Revised in
November 2011)

1,200,000
2,799,936

Actual
Expenditure ($)
(supported by
RPVSC)

999,033.65
2,791,467.75

Senior Research Assistant
Research Assistant

I. Manpower
–
–

II. Equipment
– H2O2 Analyzer
–
– Multi-gas Calibrator
Station
– Weather

JNO2

Temp, TH, Solar, TUV)

(Wind,

III. Station setup & Operation
–

–

Station premises
PolyU
Transportation
Travelling expenses to Tung
Chung

1

400,000
200,000
120,000
50,000

215,000

35,000

399,538.40
199,998.46
119,984.50
49,775.65

210,806.15

38,893.50

ECF Paper 24/2015-16
For Discussion

Item

IV. General Expenses
–

Parts

&

Replacement
Consumables
– Standard

Gases

for

Instrument Calibration

– Operating gases
– Filters & sample analyses
– Instrument

Replacement

Parts / Consumables

– Chemicals
– Computer Accessories
– Sampling

Accessories
Fittings, etc.

:

Inlets,
tubing,

–

Instrumental Repair / Service
by Suppliers
Shipment Charges

–

V. Equipment & Operation

–

for

Support
Payment
Using
Instruments & Support by the
Mainland Partner

VI. Dissemination

of Study

Results to the Public
Setup & Maintenance of a
Website

Total :

–

Approved Budget ($)
(Revised in
November 2011)

150,000

110,000
125,000
362,000

80,000
35,000
233,000

100,000

20,000

300,000

20,000

6,554,936

Actual
Expenditure ($)
(supported by
RPVSC)

149,977.87

110,173.83
120,848.22
362,289.90

78,515.89
34,366.74
233,013.15

102,693.29

20,681.45

299,999.75

18,894

6,340,952.15

This project aims to answer some of the key scientific questions relating to
persistent photochemical air pollution in Hong Kong and to develop research
tools and human resources for the long-term management of ‘green’
environment in the Hong Kong-Pearl River Delta region (HK-PRD). The
following project objectives have all been achieved:

 With in-depth analysis of long-term air quality monitoring data and
intensive supersite measurements data in the HK-PRD region, a
comprehensive picture of oxidants pollution in Hong Kong is obtained.
The ambient concentrations of O3 show an increasing trend at most of
the stations in the region, while the concentrations of ozone precursors
(NOx, CO and VOCs) have decreased. The overall situation of
photochemical pollution in Hong Kong has not been improved.

 By combining the measurements and modelling studies, the project team
has quantified the roles of synoptic and mesoscale meteorology in the
trapping of air pollutants within Hong Kong, and in the transport of air
pollutants to Hong Kong from other cities in the PRD (regional
transport) and from other parts of Asia (super-regional transport). The
results indicate that the regional impact has negated the local control

2

Project Results and
Achievements

ECF Paper 24/2015-16
For Discussion

efforts of Hong Kong, and highlighted the significant contributions of
regional/super-regional transport to the ozone pollution in Hong Kong.

 Based on supersite observations and data analysis, the project team
gained comprehensive understanding of the sources and key chemical
pathways involved in the formation of oxidants in a sub-tropical climate.
The project team investigated in detail the O3 production mechanism and
established a conceptual model for O3 pollution in Hong Kong. For the
first time in Hong Kong, the project team has studied the heterogeneous
chemistry of nitrous acid (HONO), dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) and
hydrogen peroxides. These studies have yielded new insights into the
atmospheric chemistry and suggested new research leads.

 The project team also developed integrated tools and the human
resources needed for the further study of air pollution and climate in
PRD and other rapidly developing regions of China. It developed some
new capabilities for conducting high-level research on atmospheric
chemistry, including improved models and measurement techniques for
application in the high NOx and oxidative subtropical environment such
as HK and
In addition, a well-trained
multi-disciplinary and collaborative team has been developed, and many
young researchers and students were trained.

the PRD

region.

 The results of the project have also provided scientific support to the
governments in developing regional environmental policies/measures
and mitigating photochemical smog, including findings on the need for
local action and cross-boundary cooperation in the control of ozone
pollution and recommendations for
improvement of current air
monitoring systems and future work to address the strong atmospheric
this 4-year
oxidative capacity
collaborative project has significantly advanced knowledge of
atmospheric science, provided timely support to air-quality management
in HK and China, trained essential human resources, and promoted
public awareness of regional air pollution and urgent need to solve the
problem.

in Hong Kong.

In conclusion,

Major findings of the project are as follows:

 The ambient concentrations of NOx and CO have been decreasing at
most of the stations in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the O3 concentrations
have still shown an increasing trend in most areas in HK-PRD region.
The local ozone production in Hong Kong has been reduced through the
strict VOC control by the government. However, the background ozone
levels have increased more significantly, which were mainly attributed to
the regional transport from the PRD and eastern China. This regional
impact has negated the local control efforts of Hong Kong.

 HONO was found to be a dominant radical (OH) source at Tung Chung
(TC), not only in the morning but also throughout the daytime. Some
new insights about direct emission and heterogeneous production of
HONO on aerosol and ground surfaces were obtained. ‘Missing’ daytime
source of HONO was found at TC, and further analysis revealed the

3

ECF Paper 24/2015-16
For Discussion

possible contribution by aerosol surface. The emission factors of HONO
were derived from the field measurement. Our results also suggested the
important role of sea surface in the heterogeneous HONO formation and
hence atmospheric photochemistry in the coastal areas like Hong Kong.
These results have improved model simulations of ozone pollution in
Hong Kong.

The project team will present the project results and findings at the ECF
Committee meeting scheduled for 17 December 2015.

Members’ views are invited on whether the project completion should be
endorsed.

Subject to Members’ endorsement of the project completion, the total project
expenditure will be $6,340,952.15, and taking into account the amount
already issued to the recipient organization as well as the interest income of
$9,498.70 generated, an amount of $432,453.45 will be issued to the
recipient organization to finalize the project account.

Action Required

4