In mid-October, many strange black orbs appeared on the beaches of the city of Sydney. The findings caused surprise and concern among neighbors. Experts initially assumed it was caused by an oil spill, but a recent study by scientists proved them wrong and raised new questions along with answers.
Oku.AzAccording to information provided by RBK with reference to RBK, this is what scientists from the University of New South Wales said.
It turns out that the mysterious sticky spheres are made up of hundreds of components, including cooking oil molecules, soap scum, feces, and even drugs like marijuana and methamphetamine.
“Our analysis showed that the material is clearly of anthropogenic origin and is not directly related to the oil spill,” the study says.
Scientists believe the source of the orbs may be sewage and other urban runoff.
However, despite close cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, it was not possible to determine its exact origin.
Recall that in October, Coogee Beach in Sydney was closed after hundreds of black balls were found washed ashore. At first, Randwick Council assumed these were tar balls formed when oil came into contact with debris and water. But the current discovery refutes this version and raises new questions about the ecological security of the coast.