A team of scientists from various disciplines has made significant strides in unraveling the mystery behind the strange black balls appearing on Sydney beaches.
Recently, lifeguards discovered thousands of sticky round blobs washing ashore at Coogee beach, sparking curiosity among researchers about their origin and formation.
Collaborating with UNSW’s Mark Wainwright Analytical Center (MWAC), DCCEEW Environmental Forensics, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), and Randwick Council, UNSW Science conducted a series of analytical tests to investigate this marine enigma.
“At UNSW Science, we delved into the balls found on Coogee Beach,” said Associate Professor Jon Beves from the School of Chemistry. “Our analysis indicates that the material is not natural and likely originates from human-generated waste rather than an oil spill.”
The investigation utilized a range of chemical analytical techniques to identify the composition and potential sources of the material.
“We discovered that these sticky spheres contained a diverse array of components such as molecules from cooking oil, soap scum, PFAS chemicals, steroidal compounds, medications like antihypertensives, pesticides, and veterinary drugs,” explained Prof. Beves.
Posted on 2024-11-06 15:15:05
Post sourced from phys.org