Beachgoers in Bournemouth have been split on exactly what the unusual and foul-smelling white blobs could be – with some fearing it could be toxic palm oil, and others hoping it was ambergris, which could make someone a small fortune
A popular UK beach has been left covered with mysterious pungent white blobs – leaving experts baffled over what they could be.
Lumps of the unknown solid waxy substance have been discovered in several locations on the shore of Bournemouth beach – from Alum Chine all the way to Hengistbury Head. Some people feared it was palm oil, which is poisonous to dogs, while others suspected it could be ambergris, which is whale vomit and worth a small fortune.
Palm oil – a vegetable product that comes from palm tree oil – is used in the food and cosmetics industry being found in everything from pizza to lipstick. Once it makes contact with the sea, it forms into solid lumps before washing up on the shore.
Some locals noted the substance smelt like PVA glue, while others compared it to dough. Some said it could be a fungus, mould or wax.
Now Richard Herrett, Bournemouth’s cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, believes that he has found the cause. He said: “We have collected samples of the white substance which washed up along some of our coastline over the weekend, and our initial assessments suggest this to be white paint.
“Many of the deposits have now dispersed, but remnants could remain in some locations. We are continuing to actively monitor the situation and ask that beachgoers continue to avoid contact with the substance, keep children away and dogs on leads should they come across any remaining deposits.”
Resident Patricia Heath said she had reported it to the Environment Agency after spotting it on a walk at Alum Chine. She said: “We came back and we had to wash our clothes. We have no idea what it is, but it’s sticky and my daughter got it all on her feet. It also smells a little, it’s really off-putting. It makes me so angry seeing this, you just think what are they dumping in our sea now?”
Julie-Anne Houldey has also reported it to the Environment Agency after seeing it at Hengistbury Head. She said: “Apparently, BCP Council has identified the white stuff on the beaches from Southbourne to Hengistbury as paint. If it is, then this is contamination on a major scale and hopefully the Environment Agency will be investigating the source.”
A spokeswoman from the Environment Agency said: “We’re aware of this. We are currently waiting for results from samples the council has taken before deciding next steps.”
In 2014, a blob that weighed nearly a quarter of a ton and needed three people with a trolley to remove it, washed up on an Isle of Wight beach. In Cornwall a year earlier, a miniature schnauzer called Zanzi died after eating a similar substance, which was found to be palm oil. The local council responded by posting pollution signs along the sands.