Weeks after sticky black balls washed up on the famed beaches of Sydney, Australia, scientists say they have partly solved the mystery behind the “disgusting” blobs.
Initially thought to be tar balls, the golf-ball-size debris turned out to be something much different — a combination of decomposed cooking oils, hair and food waste, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said Wednesday.
Balls collected for testing in a laboratory at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
They said preliminary test results indicated that the blobs were tar balls formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water.
Sydney Water confirmed there were no issues at the Bondi or Malabar water facilities, while Transport for NSW Maritime reviewed recent weather patterns but found no clear answers, according to the statement.
Persons:
“, Balls, Jonathan Beve, ”, William Alexander Donald, Donald, we’re, ” Donald
Organizations:
New South, New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, University of New, Authorities, University of New South Wales Sydney, NBC News, Sydney Water, Transport, NSW Maritime
Locations:
Sydney, Australia, New South Wales, University of New South Wales, Bondi, University of New South, Victoria, Malabar