A popular Sydney beach was closed in mid-October due to mysterious black pellets washing up. It was initially assumed that it could be lumps of tar. “What we discovered is – this doesn’t sound very scientific – much more disgusting than we previously thought,” said one researcher.
The golf ball-sized beads that washed up on Coogee Beach baffled scientists. The fragments have been collected in protective suits and the investigation has now been completed. The results shocked the researchers, they now announce.
According to the New South Wales State Environment Agency, the balls are a mixture of broken down cooking oil, hair and food waste. Interestingly, traces of recreational drugs and contraceptives were also found in the bushes – and there is a logical, albeit disgusting, explanation for this.
Similar substance to fat lumps in sewers
The signs indicate that the clumps are composed largely of human feces. Such substances are commonly found in “fatbergs” that typically form in city sewers. These build-ups of waste materials can cause serious sewer blockages when grease and other carelessly flushed objects stick together and form a hard mass.
“Worse than anything I’ve ever smelled.”
“During the tests, we found that these balls smell worse than anything anyone has ever smelled – at least to me, worse than anything I’ve ever smelled before,” explains chemistry professor William Alexander Donald, who was part of the research team. The recent findings suggest that a sewage leak is the most likely cause of these mysterious black balls.
The beach was closed in mid-October after the beads appeared. Residents were warned not to touch the balls as it was not known whether they could be carcinogenic.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
