Station overview—Coastguard
Map marker is indicative only. It does not reflect the exact location of the station.
See all stations in Townsville region.
Monitoring at the Townsville Coast Guard site began in 2007 as part of the Townsville Dust Monitoring Program, implemented in response to community concerns about dust impacts from the Port of Townsville operations.
In May 2014 the Townsville Coast Guard station operated by the Queensland Government and the Townsville Port monitoring station operated by Port of Townsville Limited were amalgamated into one joint monitoring station at the Townsville Coast Guard.
From August 2021, Port of Townsville Limited took over sole operation of the Townsville Coast Guard station.
The Port of Townsville operates and maintains a boundary air quality monitoring program on behalf of bulk mineral handling customers Glencore, South 32, Northern Stevedoring Services and Flinders TBSH Pty Ltd.
- Monitoring period
- 1 December 2007–
- Parameters monitored
Current measurements at 9pm 21 November 2024
| Parameter | Measurement | Running average |
|---|---|---|
| Particle PM10 | 14.5µg/m³ | 12µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Particles TSP | 11.9µg/m³ | 15.2µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Parameter | Measurement | Running average |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | - | 0.004µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Arsenic | - | 0.001µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Cadmium | - | 0µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Copper | - | 0.011µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Zinc | - | 0.065µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Nickel | - | 0µg/m³ (24hr avg) |
| Parameter | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Wind direction | 163deg |
| Wind speed | 4.2m/s |
| Humidity | 98.6% |
| Temperature | 22.2°C |
| Solar radiation | 0W/m² |
| Rainfall | 5.4mm |
Legend to air quality category colours about category values
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
- Very poor
- Extremely poor
None of the data is validated (0% validated, 0/14 records)
About air quality categories
Air quality categories are used to make it easier to interpret air quality data by reducing the complexity associated with different pollutant concentration units and air quality guideline values.
Each air quality measurement from a monitoring station is assigned an air quality category rating based on comparison of the measurement value against the relevant air quality guideline. Five colour-coded air quality categories are used, being ‘Good’ (green), ‘Fair’ (yellow), ‘Poor’ (orange), ‘Very poor’ (red) or ‘Extremely poor’ (dark red). Values greater than the air quality guideline will be appear as ‘Poor’, ‘Very poor’ or ‘Extremely poor’.
About these parameters
- Particle PM10
Airborne particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM10, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects.
The guideline for Particle PM10 is 100µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 50µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Particle PM10 is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Particles TSP
Airborne particles up to about 100 micrometres in diameter are referred to as TSP (total suspended particles). These particles are generated by combustion and non-combustion processes, including windblown dust, sea salt, earthworks, mining activities, industrial processes, motor vehicle engines and fires.
The guideline for Particles TSP is 250µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 80µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Particles TSP is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Lead
Lead is commonly used in manufacturing products like batteries and solders. The major emission source is from the mining, smelting and processing of mineral ores. Inhaling or consuming lead and its compounds can affect the human body, particularly the nervous system, and may result in growth and developmental problems in children.
The guideline for Lead is 2µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Lead is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Arsenic
Elemental arsenic does not occur naturally but its compounds are widespread, often occurring with metal-bearing ores and released during processing. It is widely used in timber preservatives and pesticides, and is well-documented as an occupational hazard.
The guideline for Arsenic is 0.3µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Arsenic is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Cadmium
Cadmium compounds occur naturally in the environment, particularly in areas of mineralisation. The major emission source is the processing of metal ores for lead, zinc and copper, where cadmium is a valuable by-product.
The guideline for Cadmium is 2µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Cadmium is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Copper
Copper is one of a number of essential metals, and a small daily intake is required to maintain a healthy life. However, ingesting high levels of the element can lead to adverse health effects, as some of its compounds are toxic.
The guideline for Copper is 50µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Copper is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Zinc
Zinc occurs widely in nature, and is another metal essential in trace quantities for good health. Exposure to elevated levels is more likely through occupational exposure in industry such as mining and smelting and processing of metal ores. Insufficient zinc intake has a detrimental effect on growth, and immune and reproductive system development. Adverse health effects generally only occur where the exposure is high.
The guideline for Zinc is 120µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Zinc is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Nickel
The guideline for Nickel is 0.12µg/m³ (24hr avg).
Nickel is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.
- Wind direction
When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place. The measurement indicates the direction the wind is coming from.
Wind direction is measured in degrees.
- Wind speed
When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place.
Wind speed is measured in metres per second.
- Humidity
Like temperature and solar radiation, water vapour plays an important role in many thermal and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Humidity is measured in percentage.
- Temperature
Measuring temperature supports air quality assessment, air quality modelling and forecasting activities.
Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.
- Solar radiation
Measuring solar radiation is beneficial for modelling photochemical smog events, as the intensity of sunlight has an important influence on the rate of the chemical reactions that produce the smog. The cloudiness of the sky, time of day and geographic location all affect sunlight intensity.
- Rainfall
Rain has a ‘scavenging’ effect when it washes particulate matter out of the atmosphere and dissolves gaseous pollutants. Removing particles improves visibility. Where there is frequent high rainfall, air quality is generally better.
