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TThe Environmental
Monitoring Program is one of the most important
programs the Royal Commission is conducting in
Jubail Industrial City. The Royal Commission has
developed a comprehensive environmental monitoring
program that encompasses: air quality and
meteorology; water quality; solid and industrial
waste management; environmental surveillance, noise
and wild life as follows:
1) Air Quality & Meteorology Monitoring
The Royal Commission operates seven fixed monitoring
stations and two mobile stations in Jubail to
monitor meteorology and air quality, and make sure
that the air quality is in compliance with the Royal
Commission Environmental Regulation. These stations
have been carefully placed around the city to
provide a comprehensive and true picture of the air
quality and meteorological conditions. Each station
can measure up to 30 compounds.
Data from the stations are transmitted wirelessly
every 5 minutes - 24 hours a day to a central
computer and analyzed and checked by a team of
specialists.
The most important compounds monitored in the air
are: sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S),
ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon
monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), BTEX, particulates (PM10
& PM2.5) lead (Pd), sulfates and chlorides.
2) Water Quality Monitoring
Presently, the Royal Commission routinely monitors
water quality in the Gulf adjacent to the city,
seawater cooling system, groundwater and wastewater
from industrial facilities.
a) Gulf Water
Thirteen water quality monitoring stations have been
established by the Royal Commission to give
comprehensive picture of water quality. These
stations allow the measurement of water quality
changes near the coast and offshore. Routine
monitoring gives an early indication of long-term
trends, allowing action to be taken to prevent
damages if there is a need.
At each of the water quality monitoring stations, an
electronic probe is used to determine several water
quality parameters, including temperature, salinity,
dissolved oxygen, and pH. Samples from several
depths are also collected for more comprehensive
analysis.
At the Royal Commission Environmental Laboratory,
samples are analyzed for physical and chemical
parameters including heavy metals and organic
compounds. Results are then entered into a
computerized database and periodic reports are
generated.
b) Seawater Cooling System
The Royal Commission performs routine monitoring of
the once-through, non-contact seawater cooling
system to enable continued compilation of baseline
data for possible future determination of short term
impacts on water quality.
c) Groundwater
The Royal Commission conducts a comprehensive
groundwater monitoring program to prevent
degradation of natural groundwater quality, as the
city grows.
Groundwater in the vicinity of industrial processes,
waste management facilities, and storage tanks is
closely monitored for early detection of
contaminants.
d) Industrial Wastewater
Industrial wastewater is discharged to the central
wastewater treatment facilities where is treated
using the latest technology and used for irrigation.
Wastewater quality is monitored for compliance with
discharge standards.
The influent and effluent of the central wastewater
treatment facilities are also monitored to ensure
that only waste which can effectively be treated are
received and treated. In addition, the treated
wastewater used for irrigation is monitored to
ensure it complies with the irrigation water quality
standards.
3) Industrial Waste Management
The
Royal Commission has implemented strict policies for
the management of industrial waste (hazardous or
non-hazardous wastes) generated by industrial
facilities, plants and companies in Jubail
Industrial City. These policies aim at minimizing
impacts on the environment and provide safe and
permanent disposal solution.
Waste is being observed carefully from generation to
safe disposal. Regular inspection by Royal
Commission on industrial facilities and monitoring
of waste storage handling, transportation and
disposal methods is carried out to ensure that
generators are following proper management policies.
A private specialized company operates a waste
treatment and disposal facility with operations
comprising of incineration, pretreatment,
stabilization, evaporation and landfilling.
4) Oil Spill Protection
In order to facilitate early detection of oil and
chemical spills, and to protect recreational beaches
and vital operations such as the cooling water canal
and the intake to the desalination plant, the Royal
Commission has established an oil spill monitoring
program. The Royal Commission has also developed an
emergency response plan for oil and chemical spills.
5) Noise
The Royal Commission has established monitoring
program for the measurement of noise levels at the
perimeter of industrial sites and within the
residential areas. Noise due to industries'
operational activities is periodically monitored to
ensure that noise levels are compliant with Royal
Commission Environmental Regulation.
6) Wildlife
Important natural and man-made habitats (such as
Sabkhat Al-Fasl) that support wildlife and migrating
birds are also regularly monitored. These areas
include mudflats, mangrove stand, wetlands and
islands.
Regular inspections are carried out along the coast
and hinterland desert to check for illegal
activities and the unauthorized dumping.
The surface drainage channels that carry drainage to
the sea and tidal inlets are also regularly
inspected for contaminants.
Sabkhat Al-Fasl, is a man - made wetland created
mainly by excess irrigation water. Irrigation water
is rich in nutrients and, once released in Sabkhat
Al-Fasl, it assists in the production of an
extremely large biomass of micro-flora and fauna.
This environment attracts large numbers of waterfowl
that feed on the abundant algal mats, ostracods, and
aquatic insects.
Sabkhat Al-Fasl has the largest density and
diversity of migratory waterfowl known along the
Saudi Arabian Gulf coast and it has been identified
as an Important Bird Area in the Middle East.
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