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R E S E A R C H F O R D E V E L O P M E N T 2 0 1 1DaleWebberCarltonCampbellThe Potential Environmental Impact froma Power Generating Facility on a RuralJamaican TownUWI researchers are interested in checkingthe air and water quality and noise levels in an areaapproximately 5 km (= 3 miles) south of Old Harbour andapproximately 48 km (≈ 30 miles) west of Kingston, thecapital of Jamaica. The area being studied is a mixtureof residential, industrial, agricultural and commercial.There are approximately 28,538 persons residing there.The UWI is particularly interested in this area becauseof the existence and operations of the power generatingstation, Jamaican Energy Partners facility, located atOld Harbour Bay. This facility comprises two powergenerating barges (Doctor Bird I and Doctor Bird II),which have a combined generating capacity of 124 MWor approximately 15% of Jamaica’s electrical powersupply. Doctor Bird I was commissioned in 1995 with agenerating capacity of 74 MW, while Doctor Bird II wascommissioned in 2006 with a generating capacity of 50MW.76 77
Jamaica’s Increasing Demand for ElectricityWith Jamaica’s increasing demand for electricalpower, there is always need to install additionalgenerating capacity. There are three main reasonswhy additional generating capacity is needed:1. Load growth2. The need for more efficient power generationto replace old and inefficient units on the grid3. The need for generation in or close tomajor load centres.The proximity of this facility to residential areasand the reasons given above mean that there isa strong possibility that additional generatingcapacity will be sited in that area. Therefore thisstudy will concentrate on assessing the potentialimpacts of noise, air and water pollution from thefacility on the communities within the area – in thepresent and in the future.To conduct this assessment, baseline information(pre barge scenario) where possible will becollected from literature research, and comparedwith data collected when Doctor Bird I wascommissioned and operational and when DoctorBird II was commissioned and operational. Thisspans a time-frame of over 15 years. Additionalmodelling will be conducted to determinewhat, if any, will be the potential impacts on theenvironment and population, in relation to thethree main areas above.NoiseNoise pollution in proximity to the generatingbarges is not only as a result of their operation,but also from some impacts that can be attributedto the JPSCo Old Harbour Plant and from culturalactivities such as street dances. While the bargesgenerate noise, measures are in place to minimizetheir impacts, such as sound proofing and silencerson the stacks.Noise data are collected at twelve locationscontinuously over twenty-four hour periods(24hr) annually, by using Quest TechnologiesSoundPro DL Type 1 metres with real timefrequency analyzers placed in outdoor monitoringkits. These locations are spread on the facility andcommunities within proximity.At the end of each 24-hr period the data aredownloaded and analyzed for noise levels andfrequencies, and statistical analyses are conducted.The noise climate at each station is thus determinedand is compared to that of previous years to seewhat changes there may be, and to determine thecontributory causes of such changes.AirAir pollution is minimal when placed in context of thebackground values and other sources. One of the ways inwhich the power barges minimize the amount of sulphurbeing generated is by the selection of fuel with low sulphurcontent. Ambient air quality stations are set up at twolocations. These monitor PM 10, SOx, NOx, wind-speed anddirection. In addition, three Tisch hi vol PM10 samplersrunning 24 hours are set up, in or close to the communities.WaterPower generating barges appear to have greatest impactin the surrounding waters where water temperature is thekey factor. The design of the cooling water discharge (pipelength and depth) has minimized the extent of potentialimpacts from elevated water temperatures. Water qualitysampling is conducted at 20 locations. In situ readings areconducted by using a YSI 556 MPS and Hydrolab DS5 multiparameter sampler. Parameters collected in situ includetemperature, salinity, conductivity and pH.Whole water samples are collected in bottles and sent to theEnvironmental Technical & Analytical Lab to be analysed forheavy metals.Temperature is important, as the barges utilizesea water for cooling; there are two cooling waterdischarge points.Nearby communities are at minimal risk and noresidential developments are recommended inclose proximity to the barges.Dale Webber, supervisor of the project, isthe James S. Moss-Solomon, Senior, Professorof Environmental Management, Head of theEnvironmental Management Unit and Director ofthe Centre for Marine Sciences in the Departmentof Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies,Mona Campus.webber@uwimona.<strong>edu</strong>.jmCarlton Campbell is a PhD candidate inthe Environmental Biology programme inthe Department of Life Sciences at the UWIMona Campus. He is Managing Director of CLEnvironmental Company, a Council-certifiedIndoor Environmental Consultant with theAmerican Council for Accredited Certification, anda member of the Jamaica Institute of EnvironmentalProfessionals.clenviro@cwjamaica.com78 79
Page 3 and 4: Contents814182226FACULTY OFHUMANITI
Page 6 and 7: R E S E A R C H F O R D E V E L O P
Page 11: R E S E A R C H F O R D E V E L O P
Page 14 and 15: Industries’ Commitment to Educati
Page 16 and 17: That we are about to enter the 10th
Page 18 and 19: In keeping with its remit to facili
Page 20 and 21: The population movement that has at
Page 26 and 27: F A C U L T Y O FPURE ANDAPPLIEDSCI
Page 28 and 29: It was discovered, after carrying o
Page 30 and 31: The lionfish (Pterois volitans and
Page 32 and 33: Often, the ultimate carcinogen is f
Page 34 and 35: Mapping the AreaA major aim of the
Page 36 and 37: Physiological Fluid DynamicsPhysiol
Page 38 and 39: Health Effects of Cell Phone Radiat
Page 42 and 43: F A C U L T Y O FSOCIALSCIENCESDr.
Page 44 and 45: Data collection was mainly through
Page 46 and 47: The research conducted by By Dr. Li
Page 48: • The majority of businesses stat

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