2017 Sellicks Beach air quality report

Between January 2016 and February 2017, the EPA conducted an ambient air quality monitoring campaign in Sellicks Beach with a mobile air quality monitoring station deployed in Arcadia Crescent Reserve at Sellicks Beach.

The station measured hourly particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter (PM10), particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5), and total suspended particulate matter (TSP) along with meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction) for more than a year. The analysis of the PM10, PM2.5, and TSP data, along with wind speed and wind direction data, provided information on the direction of particle movement at the monitoring location.

The overall findings of the campaign showed that the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 at the monitoring site were generally within the national health-based criteria values of 50 µg/m³ averaged over a 24-hour period for PM10 and 25 µg/m³ averaged over a 24-hour period for PM2.5. The analysis of PM10 and TSP data along with corresponding wind speed and wind direction data showed significant contributions to TSP and PM10 levels were associated with wind blowing from west to north-west of the monitoring station, which suggested major contributions from sea salt sprays (i.e. natural dust). The station also exhibited PM10 and TSP from the south-east (i.e. the direction of the quarry). However, the relative contribution of dust at the monitoring location was higher from natural dust compared to dust from the direction of the quarry.

View the report here.