Authorities in Sydney, Australia have closed several beaches, including Bondi Beach, after mysterious tar balls washed ashore. The golf-ball-sized blobs were first reported on Coogee Beach and have since been found on other beaches in the area. Preliminary tests confirmed that the blobs are tar balls, likely formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water. The Environment Protection Authority is investigating the origin of the debris and whether it poses any risks to the community and environment.
Chemistry professor William Alexander Donald from the University of New South Wales Sydney stated that the tar balls likely originated from weathered oil, either from a crude oil spill or natural oil seeps from the ocean floor. The appearance of the tar balls on the beaches can harm marine ecosystems and animals by disrupting movement and feeding, as well as leaching toxic compounds into the water. This can threaten marine biodiversity and industries such as fishing and tourism.
Although tar balls are uncommon in Australia, they have been found on beaches in other locations, including California and the Gulf of Mexico after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The investigation into the tar balls found on Sydney’s beaches remains ongoing, with further testing needed to determine the contents of the debris. The closure of the beaches aims to ensure the safety of the public and protect the environment from potential harm caused by the tar balls.
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