Thousands of mysterious blobs that closed several Sydney beaches last month have been revealed to contain materials “consistent with human generated waste”, scientists at the University of New South Wales said on November 6.
Images released by Randwick City Council show the blobs on Coogee Beach, one of at least six beaches that were closed in connection with the sightings.
University of New South Wales Associate Professor Jon Beves said of the blobs: “Our analyses show that the material is not natural and cannot be attributed solely to an oil spill. It is most consistent with human generated waste.”
The university said the blobs were similar to fat, oil, and grease (FOG) blobs commonly formed in sewage systems.
However, “markers of human faecal waste, such as epicoprostanol and recreational drug residues like THC (from marijuana) and methamphetamine” were also found in the blobs.
Sydney Water had reported that there were no known issues with Sydney Water plants, according to the university. Credit: Randwick City Council via Storyful
