Revealed: Contents of mystery pollution balls that closed nine beaches in Sydney’s north

Testing has revealed some of the contents in the mysterious grey balls of pollution that closed nine popular Sydney beaches, as more balls wash up at a Harbourside beach.

Mysterious polluting spheres that closed nine northern beaches contain similar contents to the “tar” balls that appeared across the eastern suburbs last year, according to test results released on Tuesday.

Premliminary testing commissioned by Northern Beaches Council on the grey and while balls discovered last week show traces of hydrocarbons and other materials found in the black material washed up at Coogee, Maroubra and Bondi in October.

Then more testing, with results released on Tuesday by the council, indicated the presence of saturated fatty acids, as well faecal coliforms and E-coli.

It comes as a more balls, mixed in with pumice, were discovered washed up on two Sydney Harbourside beaches — Little Manly and West Esplanade, and on Monday morning.

Last year the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) found that the balls on the eastern beaches contained human hair, illicit drugs, fatty acids and soap.

A variety of fibres and bacteria, commonly associated with wastewater, were also detected in the eastern suburbs’ samples as well as petroleum hydrocarbons, similar to fuel oils used in shipping.

Mystery pollution balls on the northern beaches — between Manly and North Narrabeen — led to the closure of nine beaches to swimming last Wednesday, until the council completed a clean-up. Picture Thomas Lisson

The council has shared its early test results of balls collected from Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches with the EPA, which has also commissioned its own analysis of the balls.

Beaches were closed to swimmers last Tuesday and council workers were called out to remove the marble-sized balls.

Council officials, which confirmed on Monday that a “very small” number of balls were seen at two beaches over the weekend, were hoping the early test results would help the EPA identify the source of the pollution.

Northern Beaches Council workers collecting mystery grey balls of pollution from Manly Beach on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said she hoped the source could be identified.

“Northern Beaches Council is hoping that the EPA analysis will identify the source so that they can stop this from happening at other beaches.

“We are continuing to conduct regular inspections of our beaches and encourage the community to report any sightings.”

EPA director of operations Adam Gilligan said that investigating pollution incidents from unknown sources was “incredibly challenging”.

“But we will work with other government agencies and examine all potential sources,” Mr Gilligan said.

While tests on the contents of the balls continue, authorities are urging people not to touch them. Picture: Supplied

“This will include possible land-based causes such as Sydney Water’s sewerage system, stormwater systems, as well as seaborne sources such as a cruise ship or other vessels.

Beachgoers are urged to report any more sightings of the grey/white balls. Picture: Julian Andrews

“We’re also looking into potential illegal trade waste discharge into stormwater.

“We are also undertaking the same chemical analysis of debris balls found … on the northern beaches, as was conducted on debris balls found on other beaches across NSW.”

If you see any balls, call the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555 or the council’s customer Service team on 1300 343 343.