Hundreds of mysterious white blobs turn up on beaches: 'Never seen that before'

While the black ball mystery on Sydney's beaches seems to have been solved, on the other side of the world, hundreds of white blobs are confounding authorities.

Background: Workers in HAZMAT suits clean up tar balls on Australian beaches. Inset: The mystery white substance found on Canadian beaches.
As HAZMAT workers clean black tar balls off Sydney beaches, across the world, authorities are working to identify a mystery white substance. Source: AAP/Environment and Climate Change Canada

While hundreds of hard, black balls have washed up on popular Sydney beaches prompting their closure, on the other side of the globe mysterious soft, white blobs have been discovered. And more than a month on, experts are still confused as to what they are.

While testing found the balls around Bondi, Bronte and Coogee were made from toxic tar, and likely formed after an oil slick, tests are yet to determine the exact nature of what's plaguing Canada’s beaches. Although authorities have their suspicions.

Investigations began after curious beachcombers walking along remote east coast beaches at Newfoundland and Labrador reported seeing hundreds of tiny coin-sized blobs, while others were "dinner-plate sized".

On Friday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) told Yahoo News it takes all potential threats “very seriously” and confirmed it is working with multiple agencies to investigate the “mystery substance”.

“To date, ECCC has conducted several aerial, underwater, and manual surveys of the beaches and shorelines in the area to determine the extent of the substance, what it is and its potential source,” it said in a statement.

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Close up of the black tar balls at Coogee beach in Sydney.
The black balls on Sydney beaches were identified as being toxic tar, likely from an oil spill. Source: AAP

The white blobs were first discovered on September 9. “Anyone know what these blobs are?” a confused local wrote.

That single comment sparked dozens of theories. “Melted snowman,” one person suggested. “Refined cooking and vegetable oils,” another mused. "Dog vomit slime mould," someone else joked. Others thought it could have been whale blubber or ambergris — a rare whale substance used for making perfume.

Other walkers began reporting occurrences on beaches in the region, and internet users quickly became invested in the mystery. "Never seen that before," one person wrote. "Can you collect some and bring to a marine based facility," someone else suggested.

Environment emergency officers rushed to affected beaches to take samples the next day. They’ve continued to regularly return, with scientific officers following up on September 30, and new surveys occurring on October 7.

Close up of the Newfoundland white blobs in Canada.
The blobs on Canadian beaches could be made out of plant matter. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada

While authorities still don’t know what the substance is, they are getting closer to solving the mystery.

“Preliminary analysis at an ECCC laboratory suggests that the material could be plant-based. Additional analysis is required before a final determination can be made on the substance and its potential impacts,” the agency said.

It also warned enforcement officers had collected evidence from the site, and if a violation of federal environmental legislation is discovered it will “take appropriate action”.

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