Mysterious Beach Balls in Sydney Linked to Health Hazards

Authorities investigate the source as multiple beaches are closed for safety concerns.

The enchanting Northern Beaches of Sydney have been thrust into an unsettling predicament as authorities scramble to understand the nature of mysterious marble-sized balls found on the shores, diagnosed with containing saturated acids, E. coli, and fecal bacteria. Following the alarming discovery, the Northern Beaches Council made the proactive decision to close nine popular beaches, including the renowned Manly and Dee Why, on January 14.

This concern comes on the heels of a similar incident last October, when the coastline was littered with peculiar black blobs, leading to temporary beach closures and extensive cleanup operations. This latest assortment of mystery balls has since been sent to the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for meticulous examination.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Northern Beaches Council reported that thorough cleanups had been conducted at harbor beaches earlier this week. Public advisories were issued, urging locals to refrain from handling these suspicious objects and to promptly notify authorities of any sightings. Besides the identified acids and bacteria, the balls were also said to contain volcanic rock pumice.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed hope that the impending EPA analysis will unveil the origins of these hazardous materials, ideally preventing similar occurrences in the future. "We are continuing to conduct regular inspections of our beaches and encourage the community to report any sightings," she stated.

The first incident in October had led to mischaracterizations of the debris as "tar balls". Further investigation revealed a disturbing composition including cooking oil, soap scum, veterinary drugs, and even methamphetamine. Experts have likened the specimen to “fatbergs,” a term for clogs typically found in sewage systems, though Sydney Water has confirmed that its water treatment facilities have been functioning normally without any reported sewage issues.