MYSTERIOUS smelly white blobs have been spotted on a popular UK beach with dog owners told to “keep away”.
Locals at Bournemouth beach found the “sticky” substance from Alum Chine all the way to Hengistbury Head.
BNPSMysterious smelly white blobs have been spotted on Bournemouth beach[/caption]
BNPSMany have speculated that it may be white paint, while others have suggested it could be palm oil[/caption]
BNPSBeachgoers in Bournemouth have been advised to avoid the mystery substance and to keep children and dogs away[/caption]
The baffling find has seen many residents speculate on what the white blobs could be.
Multiple visitors to the beach have reported the find and have even shared snaps online.
Most people seem to believe that it is either clumps of white paint or palm oil.
Palm oil is a vegetable product that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees.
It’s used in food and cosmetics but, once in the sea, it can form solid lumps that then, potentially, washes up on shore.
Others said it smells like PVA glue.
Meanwhile, some speculated that the substance – compared by some to dough – might be a fungus, mould, or wax.
However, Richard Herrett, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council’s cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said the council now believes it knows what the mystery substance is.
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 reported it to the Environment Agency on Saturday, February 22 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?”
‘CONTAMINATION ON A MAJOR SCALE’
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.”
When similar blobs were washed up in 2014 in Cornwall, dozens of dogs needed treatment and several died.
A blob weighing nearly quarter of a ton and measuring several feet around was found on an Isle of Wight holiday beach in 2014.
It needed three people with a trolley to cart it off the sands at Hamstead beach, near Newtown.
In October 2013 in Cornwall, Zanzi, a miniature schnauzer dog, died after eating some of the palm oil, forcing the council to post signs warning of pollution.
BNPSSome locals are angered at the potential ‘mass contamination’ roots of the mystery substance[/caption]
BNPSBCP council believes the substance is likely to be paint[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
