A few weeks ago, around 2,000 mysterious black balls were found on several Sydney beaches, leading to eight beaches being closed for several days. A major clean-up operation was put in place after these objects were found, scattered along the entire length of the coastline.
Mysterious black balls on Australian beaches, which have been evacuated: what are they? (pictures)
Local authorities initially assumed the balls were made from a mixture of grease, fuel oil and chemicals from cleaning or cosmetic products. However, further investigation revealed that the composition of the balls was even more disgusting than expected.
Australian scientists discovered that they were mainly made up of human faeces, cooking oil, chemicals and illegal drugs. According to Professor Jon Beves, who led the study, these balls probably came from sewers and other sources of urban pollution.
He described the smell of the balls as “absolutely disgusting”: “They smell absolutely horrible, they smell worse than anything you’ve ever smelled,” he told 9News.
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