Dredging transforms the sea at St Kilda beach into smelly bl...

Dredging transforms the sea at St Kilda beach into smelly black treacle

“We do sand testing prior to any dredging works being done so we know it’s not contaminated,” she told this masthead. “It comes out black and once it goes onto the beach they spread it out, and it dries and oxidises, and then it turns white.” The deep colour of the sand comes from naturally occurring organic material, including decomposed plants and animals on the sea floor. As it is dredged up, sulphur is also released, contributing to the strong smell. Workers are currently dumping the dredged sand onto the beach at Shakespeare Grove, near Luna Park. While it is smelly – locals on social media describe it as sulphuric, like rotten eggs – the Environmental Protection Authority said it should dissipate within days.

“We do sand testing prior to any dredging works being done so we know it’s not contaminated,” she told this masthead.

“It comes out black and once it goes onto the beach they spread it out, and it dries and oxidises, and then it turns white.”

The deep colour of the sand comes from naturally occurring organic material, including decomposed plants and animals on the sea floor. As it is dredged up, sulphur is also released, contributing to the strong smell.

Workers are currently dumping the dredged sand onto the beach at Shakespeare Grove, near Luna Park. While it is smelly – locals on social media describe it as sulphuric, like rotten eggs – the Environmental Protection Authority said it should dissipate within days.