Once again, small ball-shaped debris washed up on Sydney's beaches. Australiaforcing nine area beaches to close while experts try to figure out what they are and where they're coming from.
The gray and white balls, mostly the size of marbles, come months after mysterious black balls washed up, closing eight beaches in October. When officials tested the balls, they determined they were likely the result of sewage overflows.
Now, says Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Haines. The newest balls “could be anything.”
“We don't know what it is at the moment and that makes it even more upsetting,” he told The Guardian.
Most debris balls are marble-sized.
Handout / Northern Beaches Council
“There's something that's obviously leaking or falling… floating around and being thrown around.”
In a statement, Northern Beaches Council said it was working closely with the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Clear the mystery balls. And sent them for testing.
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Meanwhile, they advised beachgoers to avoid Manly, DY, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Stan and North Narrabeen beaches until further notice.
According to the BBC, the debris that washed up in October was widely reported. “Tar Balls” But testing found they contained everything from pesticides and hair to cooking oil, soap scum, veterinary drugs, methamphetamine and more.
Last October, several beaches, including the popular Bondi in Sydney's east, were closed after thousands of black balls appeared on the beaches.
Handout / Northern Beaches Council
Scientists said they resembled blobs of fat, oil and grease – often called fatberg – which usually form in sewage systems from human-generated waste and can form when the material clumps and sticks together.
EPA advises the public not to handle debris balls and to report them when they are found.
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