Dr. Henry He received Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund (MCEF) to trace the migration of e-waste pollutants to Finless Porpoises

Dr. Henry He, Assistant Professor of the School of Energy and Environment (SEE), recently received HK$ 976,000 funding from the Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund (MCEF). This two-year project, titled “Migration of a Novel Class of Organic Light-Emitting Materials (OLEMs) from E-waste to Finless Porpoises”, will trace the migration of a variety of organic light-emitting materials, from electronic devices/waste to Finless Porpoises, also known as “江豚” living in Hong Kong and Pearl River Estuary (PRE) waters. This study will provide critical information for evaluating the current pollution status and the emerging threat of OLEMs towards the precious sentinel marine mammal. The research outcomes will also benefit the policy making of recycling, disposal, and management of e-wastes in Hong Kong and PRE-region, contributing to the conservation of marine mammals and the ecosystem in the Great Bay Area.        

The Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund (MCEF) and Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF), as part of the environmental impact assessment study on the Hong Kong Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal Project, have been set up by Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO), The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric) and Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited (HKLTL) to support the environmental enhancement initiatives for marine ecology and conservation, fisheries resources and sustainable development of the fishing industry in the vicinity of the project area, in Hong Kong western water and further afield into the Pearl River Estuary (PRE).

Photo of Finless Porpoises (江豚)