ENG-2014 — Page 286

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The Environment

They also commenced a joint regional study to understand fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) pollution characteristics, which will assist in the formulation of appropriate and effective policies to combat PM2.5 pollution in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. This first regional air quality study under the newly signed co-operation agreement will be completed in 2017.

The Cleaner Production Partnership Programme encourages and assists Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices. By the end of 2014, over 2,400 funding applications had been approved since the programme's launch in 2008. In addition, the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition. Scheme recognises efforts to pursue cleaner production. As at the end of 2014, 216 enterprises were holding commendations. In November 2014, the two governments also signed an agreement to strengthen co-operation in promoting cleaner production to enterprises in the region.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are implementing joint programmes to protect the water quality of the adjoining waters, including Deep Bay and Mirs Bay. The second review of the joint programmes for Deep Bay continues to gauge their effectiveness and to draw up necessary additional mitigation measures. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Guangdong have assessed the pollution load-carrying capacity of the Pearl River Estuary to provide a scientific basis for water quality management of the estuary.

Physical Characteristics, Flora and Fauna Topography, Geology and Landforms

Hong Kong's natural terrain is characterised by rugged uplands flanked by steep slopes. The highest point is Tai Mo Shan (957 metres above Principal Datum) in the central New Territories, and the lowest point (66 metres below Principal Datum) is in Lo Chau Mun (the Beaufort Channel) to the north of Po Toi Island. The mountains are predominantly formed of volcanic rocks, whereas the lower hills and low-lying areas are generally underlain by granite or sedimentary rocks. A layer of soft, weathered rock covers the bedrock in most places, slope debris mantles the natural hillsides, and alluvium fills many of the valleys. Offshore, the seabed is covered with marine mud, with sand sheets occurring near the coast and in channels.

The oldest exposed rocks in Hong Kong were deposited as river sediments approximately 400 million years ago. From 350 to 290 million years ago, limestones (now marble) and siltstones, found in western and central New Territories accumulated in a shallow sea. From 170 to 140 million years ago, violent eruptions depositing thick ash layers occurred from several volcanic centres. Volcanism ended with a colossal eruption from a giant volcano (High Island Supervolcano) centred in southeast Hong Kong. Subsequent uplift and erosion has revealed a cross-section from the top of the supervolcano in Sai Kung to its underlying magma chamber in Kowloon and northern Hong Kong Island. Layered rocks seen on the island of Ping Chau are younger sediments, laid down in a lake on the edge of a desert, about 50 million years ago.

The northeast New Territories reveals the most comprehensive stratigraphy of sedimentary rocks in Hong Kong, ranging from Devonian sandstone and conglomerate aged about 400 million years to Paleogene siltstone formed 50 million years ago.

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