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| Tar ball theory debunked as Sydney’s mystery beach globules found to be ‘fatbergs’ containing human faeces | Tar ball theory debunked as Sydney’s mystery beach globules found to be ‘fatbergs’ containing human faeces |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Balls that washed ashore and closed string of famous beaches contained scores of different materials including some ‘consistent with contamination from sewage’ | |
| Thousands of mystery balls that washed up on Sydney beaches last month were gunk globules made of products such as motor oil, hair, food waste, animal matter and wastewater bacteria – but their source is yet to be traced. | Thousands of mystery balls that washed up on Sydney beaches last month were gunk globules made of products such as motor oil, hair, food waste, animal matter and wastewater bacteria – but their source is yet to be traced. |
| A statement from the NSW Environment Protection Authority on Wednesday confirmed the balls comprised fatty acids, petroleum hydrocarbons and other organic and inorganic materials – and were not tar balls as previously theorised. | A statement from the NSW Environment Protection Authority on Wednesday confirmed the balls comprised fatty acids, petroleum hydrocarbons and other organic and inorganic materials – and were not tar balls as previously theorised. |
| Tests were conducted by the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, and scientists from the University of New South Wales. | Tests were conducted by the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, and scientists from the University of New South Wales. |
| The balls were found to contain hundreds to thousands of different materials, including hair and “various fibres”, which suggests they originated from a source that releases mixed waste. | The balls were found to contain hundreds to thousands of different materials, including hair and “various fibres”, which suggests they originated from a source that releases mixed waste. |
| But testing has not been able to confirm their exact origin “due to the complex composition of the balls and the time they have spent in the water”. | But testing has not been able to confirm their exact origin “due to the complex composition of the balls and the time they have spent in the water”. |
| “Authorities have so far been unable to trace the source,” the EPA said. Final results were expected in the coming weeks. | “Authorities have so far been unable to trace the source,” the EPA said. Final results were expected in the coming weeks. |
| In October, the Guardian reported the team of scientists analysing the debris was investigating whether the balls had come from a nearby water treatment plant. | In October, the Guardian reported the team of scientists analysing the debris was investigating whether the balls had come from a nearby water treatment plant. |
| The statement from the EPA on Wednesday said Sydney Water had stated “there were no issues with the operation or maintenance of the Bondi or Malabar water resource recovery facilities” soon after the balls were reported. | The statement from the EPA on Wednesday said Sydney Water had stated “there were no issues with the operation or maintenance of the Bondi or Malabar water resource recovery facilities” soon after the balls were reported. |
| There was also nothing conclusive yet from NSW Maritime’s examination of weather patterns in the days leading up to the balls washing up on beaches. | There was also nothing conclusive yet from NSW Maritime’s examination of weather patterns in the days leading up to the balls washing up on beaches. |
| Oils and fats in products such as cooking oils, soaps and skincare items make up fatty acids, the statement said. Petroleum hydrocarbons are chemicals from oil and gas products such as gasoline, motor oil and diesel fuel. | Oils and fats in products such as cooking oils, soaps and skincare items make up fatty acids, the statement said. Petroleum hydrocarbons are chemicals from oil and gas products such as gasoline, motor oil and diesel fuel. |
| Organic materials are substances than can naturally decompose, such as hair, food waste and other plant and animal matter, the statement said. Inorganic matter includes sand, calcium salt and bacteria associated with wastewater. | Organic materials are substances than can naturally decompose, such as hair, food waste and other plant and animal matter, the statement said. Inorganic matter includes sand, calcium salt and bacteria associated with wastewater. |
| Two of the UNSW scientists, Associate Prof Jon Beves and Prof William Donald, wrote in the Conversation that “the mysterious black balls that washed up on Sydney’s beaches in mid-October were likely lumps of ‘fatberg’ containing traces of human faeces, methamphetamine and PFAS’”. | Two of the UNSW scientists, Associate Prof Jon Beves and Prof William Donald, wrote in the Conversation that “the mysterious black balls that washed up on Sydney’s beaches in mid-October were likely lumps of ‘fatberg’ containing traces of human faeces, methamphetamine and PFAS’”. |
| “Initial reports suggested the ominous lumps were probably tar balls from an oil spill. However, analysis with a barrage of scientific tests has revealed a more complicated picture,” they wrote. | “Initial reports suggested the ominous lumps were probably tar balls from an oil spill. However, analysis with a barrage of scientific tests has revealed a more complicated picture,” they wrote. |
| “This is consistent with contamination from sewage and industrial runoff.” | “This is consistent with contamination from sewage and industrial runoff.” |