In October, Sydney’s famous beaches were closed after lifeguards spotted thousands of mysterious black balls washing ashore, leaving beachgoers puzzled and officials scrambling for answers. Initially thought to be made of tar or oil, the spheres emitted a foul odor, and a cleanup operation ensued, with workers donning protective gear to remove them from seven beaches, including Bondi.
A team of scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has since identified the black balls as mini "fatbergs"—clumps of congealed waste made up of human feces, drug residues, fatty acids, and food particles, among other contaminants. “They smell worse than anything you’ve ever smelt,” Associate Professor Jon Beves said
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) had previously advised residents to avoid the affected beaches. Initial tests hinted at oil or tar, but further analysis revealed a grim cocktail of substances typically found in sewer fatbergs. This discovery sheds light on the pollution risks facing Sydney’s beaches, though the exact source of these fatbergs remains unclear.
The EPA continues to investigate, considering the possibility of a shipping or wastewater spill, but the black balls' complex mix and extended time at sea have made it difficult to pinpoint their origin.
