Evaluation of the environmental impact from flue gas seawater scrubbing at the Qatalum aluminium smelter in Qatar

Abstract

NIVA has made a revised EIA of the Qatalum scrubber effluent to the sea. The receiving water masses are highly dynamic with current velocities up to 60 cm/s and 1,5 m tidal range. The seafloor ecosystems have low diversity and seagrass beds are the only biotopes of concern. The maximum zone of impact from the effluent based on 4 different operational situations will be the upper few meters of the water column within a 250 m radius from the outlet. This area is already strongly influenced by the local ship traffic. The local seagrass beds will not be impacted. A survey performed by URS in 2008 gives together with other surveys an adequate description of the baseline environmental conditions. A monitoring program is proposed to verify the EIA predictions and identify any long term ecological impact of the Qatalum effluent.