Tar Balls Formed from Oil Mixing with Debris and Seawater, Likely Due to Spills or Seepage, Says Scientist

Beaches in Sydney have reopened after being temporarily closed earlier this week when hundreds of mysterious black, golf ball-sized lumps washed ashore. These unusual dark spheres were first spotted on Tuesday at Coogee Beach and were later identified as “tar balls.” However, authorities are still uncertain about the exact source of these tar balls.

Penny Sharp, the environment minister of New South Wales, has stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the tar balls. In response to the situation, Waverley Council took precautionary measures by closing Bondi, Bronte, and Tamarama beaches on Thursday evening. Additionally, Randwick Council closed four other beaches, including Clovelly, Maroubra, Gordons Bay, and Coogee, to ensure the safety of beachgoers while the investigation continued.

The executive director of New South Wales Maritime Mark Hutchings reassured the public by confirming that the tar balls are “not extremely toxic” to humans. Since the initial discovery, approximately 2,000 tar balls have been collected from the affected beaches, according to a report from The Guardian. By Friday, ABC News reported that only 150 additional tar balls were found, signaling a possible decline in their appearance. Despite this, beachgoers were still advised to remain cautious and report any further sightings of tar balls to lifeguards. Authorities also recommended that anyone who comes into contact with the tar should clean their hands thoroughly using soap and water or baby oil.

The mysterious black spheres prompted immediate investigation. On Wednesday evening, Randwick Council reported preliminary laboratory test results indicating that the tar balls were indeed made of tar. This substance could have formed when oil came into contact with debris and seawater, often occurring during oil spills or seepage. The council confirmed, “Preliminary test results … show the material is a hydrocarbon-based pollutant which is consistent with the makeup of tar balls.” Hydrocarbons, which are the primary components of tar, are commonly found in natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.

Authorities, including the NSW Maritime and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), have launched investigations to trace the source of the tar balls. Darren Wood, a director at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, explained that the AMSA is utilizing reverse and drift modeling to determine the potential origin. This process takes into account ocean currents and wind patterns to ascertain whether the tar balls may have originated from the north, south, or east of the New South Wales coastline. Wood elaborated on the strategy during an interview with ABC Radio Sydney, stating that this modeling could help pinpoint the origin of the tar balls and potentially identify whether they were the result of an oil spill, leakage from a vessel, or seepage from an offshore oil facility.

As Sydney’s beaches return to normal, the investigation remains ongoing to better understand the environmental impact and prevent any future occurrences. While the immediate threat has been addressed, the presence of the tar balls serves as a reminder of the importance of maritime safety and environmental monitoring, particularly along busy coastal regions like New South Wales. Authorities are committed to finding the source of this pollution and ensuring the long-term protection of Sydney’s iconic beaches.