Australia Black spheres on Sydney's beaches pose a mystery

Several beaches in Sydney are currently closed due to the appearance of mysterious black spheres. Lifeguards discovered the black, ball-shaped pieces on Coogee Beach in the Australian state of New South Wales on Tuesday, according to a statement from the administration of the Randwick City district. They had obviously been washed up along the beach.

The Gordons Bay beach to the north was also closed when pieces were also found washed up there, the authority added.

Oil pollution feared

Officials from the environmental authority collected samples to get to the bottom of the origin and nature of the strange spheres, it added. It could be so-called tar balls, the city administration suspected. These are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water - for example in the event of a leak at sea.

Precautions are being taken to safely remove the material from the beach, it added. According to the office, the closure was in place until further notice. The public was asked to avoid the beaches, which are also popular with tourists, during this time.