Mystery after hundreds of ‘toxic’ tar balls appear on beaches

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Workers in protective suits conduct a cleanup operation to clear petroleum-based "tar balls" washed ashore on Coogee Beach in Sydney On Wednesday evening, Randwick council said preliminary lab test results suggested that the dark spheres were made of tar which could be formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water as a result of oil spills or seepage. It said the “preliminary test results … show the material is a hydrocarbon-based pollutant which is consistent with the makeup of tar balls”. A clean-up drive is being carried out across the beaches after hundreds of balls discovered Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east closed following the discovery of mysterious balls The NSW Maritime and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said they are currently investigating the potential origins of the tar balls. " “We will continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the public and clean up our beaches.” Authorities are trying to identify the origin of tar balls Waverley council identified the balls as “pea to marble-size” with a light grey-white colour.