concept EIA-rapport - Staatsolie

SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page 36
• All sampled drainage canals in Greater Paramaribo have high to very high concentrations of
coliforms, indicating bacterial contamination, most likely from septic systems. Coliform
concentrations decrease further away from the source due to dilution and bacterial breakdown.
The same trend is observed for organic matter, Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen
Demand, total nitrogen, ammonium and chlorophyll-a;
• The level of coliforms may pose a threat to health when water contact occurs during swimming
or flooding; and
• Concentrations of heavy metals, particularly mercury, lead, cadmium and zinc, are relatively high
at many locations in the Paramaribo drainage system. These are thought to be caused by
industry, waste dumping, discarded batteries and car wrecks.
Specific water quality problems identified for the drainage areas within the study area are described
in Table 4-8.
Table 4-8: Water quality problems identified in the study area
Area Identified water quality problems
Beekhuizen • Low oxygen level and elevated nutrient levels
• High concentration of heavy metals in the bottom sediment, (especially mercury, zinc and
copper, with moderate levels of lead), possibly related to the former Bruynzeel wood
processing industry and/or the dumping of wood ashes at open areas of the Bruynzeel site
• Expected high level of coliforms, given the generally high to very high concentrations of
coliforms in Paramaribo
Livorno • Very low oxygen level
• Oil observed in the water during three of four sampling rounds
• High concentrations of coliforms
Tout Lui Faut • Low oxygen level
Saramacca
Canal
4.1.5.2 Groundwater
• No visible contamination reported
• Expected high level of coliforms, given the generally high to very high concentrations of
coliforms in Paramaribo
• High disturbance of canal by human activities
• Elevated nutrient levels
• High concentrations of coliforms in the water
• Elevated heavy metal concentrations (particularly mercury, lead and zinc) in water and
bottom sediment
The study area is underlain by three major aquifers within the Corantijn Group (see Figure 4-10):
• The A-sand aquifer (in the Burnside Formation) contains freshwater in many locations, including
Paramaribo and the pipeline area. It is found here at approximate depths between 120 and
160 m. The aquifer thickness varies from 10-60 m. The A-Sand aquifer is not directly recharged
by rainwater, and it is suspected that upward leakage of groundwater from the older, underlying
formation is likely;
• The Coesewijne aquifer contains freshwater in many locations of the coastal plain, including
Paramaribo and the pipeline area. The top of the aquifer is found at a depth of 70 m at
Paramaribo and slightly less deep in the pipeline area. The Coesewijne sands are in hydraulic
contact with the overlying Zanderij Formation, with groundwater flow in the southern Young
Coastal Plain (Helena Christina road – Lelydorp) and diffusion in the northern Young Coastal
Plain; and
REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Final June 2012