Workshop on Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology

We would like to invite you to cover the following event:

Event:     Workshop on Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology

Date:       19-20 November 2007 (Monday and Tuesday)

Time:       9:00am – 5:00pm

Venue:     B6605, Academic Building, City University of Hong Kong (Please take Lift no. 3)

The Centre for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology (MERIT) led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has developed a variety of novel technologies for pollution monitoring, pollution control and risk assessment, which are ready for practical use in Hong Kong and the region. The centre will hold a two-day workshop for government officials and green group representatives to introduce them to these technologies.

On the second day of the workshop, researchers will share some of MERIT’s findings relevant to environmental and resources management in Hong Kong, including the recovery of Victoria Harbour since the commencement of operations of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS).

MERIT is one of 10 “Areas of Excellence” selected by the University Grants Committee (UGC), and is led by CityU in collaboration with five other local universities. It has been awarded funding of HK$45 million by UGC’s Area of Excellence scheme to develop innovative chemical, biological and engineering technologies for monitoring, assessing and controlling the effects of human activity on the marine environment.

______

 CityU excels in professional education and applied research.

______

The media are welcome to attend the workshop (please see below appendix for the programme). Please contact Karen Cheng of the Communications Office (3442 6805 or

9201 8895) for arrangement of interview with researchers.

19 November 2007 (Monday)

09:15-09:30             Introduction & Overview

                        Prof. Rudolf Wu

09:30-10:00                 Molecular imprinting techniques and solid phase micro extraction for determination of PSP and PBDE

                        Dr. Michael Lam

10:00-10:30                 Development of novel immunosensors for detection of environmental toxicants

                        Dr. Lawrence Tzang

10:30-11:00                 H295R cells: An in vitro tool for screening endocrine-disrupting chemicals and mixtures

                        Dr. Margaret Murphy

11:00-11:30             ~ Tea Break ~

11:30-12:00             Transgenic medaka for in situ monitoring of endocrine disruptors

                        Dr. S.H. Cheng

12:00-12:30                 An “Artificial Mussels” for monitoring heavy metals in marine environment

                        Prof. Rudolf Wu

12:30-14:00             ~ Lunch Break ~

14:00-14:30                 Deriving site-specific sediment quality guidelines for Hong Kong marine environments using field-based species sensitivity distributions

                        Dr. Kenneth Leung

14:30-15:00                 Constructed wetland for water pollution control and bioremediation

                        Prof. M.H. Wong

15:00-15:30             Microalgal bioreactor for wastewater treatment

                        Prof. Nora Tam

15:30-16:00             ~ Tea Break ~

16:00-16:30                 Q-mPCR technique and gene chip for quantification of water borne pathogens

                        Dr. Richard Kong

16:30-17:00                 The marine medaka Oryzias melastigma: a new marine fish assessing stress and pollution

                        Dr. Doris Au

20 November 2007 (Tuesday)

09:00-09:30             Real time forecast of harmful algal blooms

                        Prof. Joseph Lee

09:30-10:00                 Real time hydro-environmental modeling and visualization system for public engagement

                        Prof. Joseph Lee

10:00-10:30             Hypoxia is an endocrine disruptor and impair fish reproduction

                        Prof. Rudolf Wu

10:30-11:00                 Nutrient dynamics and potential limitation in Victoria Harbour and its vicinity

                        Prof. Paul Harrison

11:00-11:30             ~ Tea Break ~

11:30-12:00                 Response of nutrients, dissolved oxygen and phytoplankton biomass to sewage abatement in Victoria Harbor and its vicinity

                        Prof. Paul Harrison

12:00-12:30                 A synopsis on recovery of Victoria Harbor after pollution abatement - intertidal communities

                        Dr. Put Ang

12:30-14:00             ~ Lunch Break ~

14:00-14:30                 A synopsis on recovery of Victoria Harbor after pollution abatement - benthic communities

                        Dr. Paul Shin

14:30-15:00                 A synopsis on recovery of Victoria Harbor after pollution abatement  - sediment chemistry

                        Dr. X.D. Li

15:00-15:30             Risk assessment of xenobiotics in Hong Kong

                        Prof. Paul Lam

15:30-16:00             ~ Tea Break ~

16:00-16:30                 Recovery of biomarkers in Victoria Harbor

                        Dr. Doris Au

16:30-17:00                 Bacterial community structure and dynamics in water column and sediment in Victoria Harbor during the ecosystem recovering processes

                        Prof. P.Y. Qian

17:00-17:30             Wrap Up & General Discussion

                        Chair: Prof. Paul Harrison