Environmental Science

Research at HKUST has had a strong environmental emphasis since the early days. This important work continues to find solutions to local and regional environmental problems for the sustainable economic development of Hong Kong and the region.

The "Pear River Estuary Pollution Project" — the most comprehensive cross-boundary study on the region to date — was completed by HKUST and participating institutes, bringing to light new data on water pollution in the area and exploring ways to improve the environment. Findings of the three-year project were presented at the Symposium on Estuary Research hosted by HKUST from 23 to 25 April 2002. Speakers from the Chinese Mainland, Europe, the United States and Vietnam shared their experiences in estuary research and discussed the future cleanup of the Pearl River Delta.

The Department of Civil Engineering is helping Hong Kong and the Mainland find solutions to water pollution. Researchers have developed a new primary waste treatment technology that doubles the efficiency of conventional methods without applying chemical coagulants. A two-year pilot trial sponsored by the HKSAR Government is underway at the Stonecutter Island sewage treatment plant.

Building materials from scrap tires.

The Department of Civil Engineering has found a solution to the mountain of scrap tires that are piling up around the world — making them into roads. The award-winning technology turns scrap tires into a material ideal for use in highway construction and other civil engineering projects.

A powerful and innovative mobile facility for monitoring air pollution has been launched by HKUST. Commissioned by the Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development, with a HK$12.3 million grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Mobile Real-time Air Monitoring Platform is capable of measuring air pollutants in motion and of covering a large area in a short time. This pioneering project represents a new concept in air monitoring.