Vietnam's coastal region of West Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf, adjacent toChina and other Asian countries, suffers from transboundaryenvironmental pollution and joint efforts are being urged to tackle thisproblem.
Researcher Luu Van Dieu, from the Instituteof Marine Environment and Resources, said cross-border riversincluding the Red, Ma and Ca rivers are major sources of pollutantspoured into the gulf.
According to a country report byUnited Nations Environment Programme, Vietnam 's marine pollutionissue dates back to 2004. Every year since then, the Red River alonebrings to the gulf 232,000 tonnes of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),353,000 tonnes of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 31,000 tonnes ofnitrogen, over 7,000 tonnes of phosphate, over 4,000 tonnes of heavymetals, 210 tonnes of fertiliser and about 13,000 tonnes of oil.
BOD and COD are two different ways of measuring how much oxygen will bedepleted from the water. In both cases the oxygen-consuming substancesare mainly of organic origin.
Waste from the river made up95 percent of the total pollutants discharged from this part ofterritory where the river runs through, the report said.
Dieu said that the stream flowing into the gulf led the transboundarypollution not just in the countries adjacent to the gulf and offshorearea. There is also evidence of oil spills, marine waste and pollutants.
It is reported that in the last 25 years, about 140 oilspills occurred in the western region of the gulf. In late January andearly February of 2007, oil spills were seen in coastal areas of thecentral provinces Ha Tinh and Quang Binh before spreading to thesouth. The accumulative collected oil was more than 1,700 tonnes.
"Up to 77 percent of oil spills in Vietnam 's waters have yet to bedealt with, or properly compensated," Dieu said, adding that it is dueto poor management and insufficient legal framework.
Raised awareness and capacity to manage transboundary pollution are necessary, he said.
Domestic and international co-operation among countries andorganisations can help minimise the impact of transboundary pollution,he emphasised.
Dr Dinh Van Huy from the institute also said that so far, there are few insightful studies completed on this issue.
Investing in observation and assessing the current situation arenecessary first steps, he said, adding that the institute submitted aproposal for requesting funding further research.
Moreobservation stations should be set up along coastal lines and along theupper parts of rivers, facilitating a proper data base for assessment ofthe current situation and forecast changes in the coastal areas./.
Researcher Luu Van Dieu, from the Instituteof Marine Environment and Resources, said cross-border riversincluding the Red, Ma and Ca rivers are major sources of pollutantspoured into the gulf.
According to a country report byUnited Nations Environment Programme, Vietnam 's marine pollutionissue dates back to 2004. Every year since then, the Red River alonebrings to the gulf 232,000 tonnes of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),353,000 tonnes of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 31,000 tonnes ofnitrogen, over 7,000 tonnes of phosphate, over 4,000 tonnes of heavymetals, 210 tonnes of fertiliser and about 13,000 tonnes of oil.
BOD and COD are two different ways of measuring how much oxygen will bedepleted from the water. In both cases the oxygen-consuming substancesare mainly of organic origin.
Waste from the river made up95 percent of the total pollutants discharged from this part ofterritory where the river runs through, the report said.
Dieu said that the stream flowing into the gulf led the transboundarypollution not just in the countries adjacent to the gulf and offshorearea. There is also evidence of oil spills, marine waste and pollutants.
It is reported that in the last 25 years, about 140 oilspills occurred in the western region of the gulf. In late January andearly February of 2007, oil spills were seen in coastal areas of thecentral provinces Ha Tinh and Quang Binh before spreading to thesouth. The accumulative collected oil was more than 1,700 tonnes.
"Up to 77 percent of oil spills in Vietnam 's waters have yet to bedealt with, or properly compensated," Dieu said, adding that it is dueto poor management and insufficient legal framework.
Raised awareness and capacity to manage transboundary pollution are necessary, he said.
Domestic and international co-operation among countries andorganisations can help minimise the impact of transboundary pollution,he emphasised.
Dr Dinh Van Huy from the institute also said that so far, there are few insightful studies completed on this issue.
Investing in observation and assessing the current situation arenecessary first steps, he said, adding that the institute submitted aproposal for requesting funding further research.
Moreobservation stations should be set up along coastal lines and along theupper parts of rivers, facilitating a proper data base for assessment ofthe current situation and forecast changes in the coastal areas./.
