The moment chemist Chris Kozak finally obtained a sample of the enigmatic blobs that had recently appeared along the picturesque shores of Newfoundland, the fascinating endeavor dubbed Project Unknown Glob officially commenced.
Equipped with cutting-edge resources, Kozak and a dedicated team of graduate students were able to utilize the stunning new science building and exceptional facilities at Newfoundland’s Memorial University to conduct an array of rigorous tests on the peculiar white, dough-like mass.
“The first thing I did was poke it and smell it,” he detailed, describing his initial approach to the investigation.
Though seemingly simple, this early examination yielded an abundance of valuable information for Kozak to analyze.
“By poking it, we could tell it was definitely rubbery, like overworked bread dough. We suspected it was an elastomer polymer. And the smell coming off was a bit like walking through the solvent aisle in your hardware store,” he explained.
Residents of Canada’s easternmost province have been trying to unravel the mystery behind the hundreds of these pale, gooey masses, which bear a striking resemblance to the dough used to create toutons, a beloved Newfoundland fried delicacy. Some of these blobs measured up to the size of dinner plates.
Hilary Corlett, an assistant professor from Memorial University’s earth sciences department, played a pivotal role in this investigation, collecting samples from Placentia Bay. Her working hypothesis was that the blobs could be of human origin.
Initially, Kozak’s team theorized that the blobs might be a polyurethane foam typically used in the fishing industry’s boat insulation. However, upon examining the sample for the presence of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen—key components of polyurethane—Kozak found no evidence of nitrogen. Additionally, the absence of sulphur ruled out both polyurethane and any potential natural sources.
This finding contradicted the stance of Canada’s environment ministry, which had claimed in a previous release that the material could possibly be plant-based.
Next, utilizing infrared spectroscopy, Kozak identified chemical bonds indicative of polyvinyl acetate, a substance commonly employed as an adhesive in the shipping industry.
However, a subsequent mass spectrometry test conducted on November 6 revealed that the blob also exhibited characteristics consistent with synthetic rubber.
“I did eight different tests, and they all point towards something synthetic,” Kozak noted with certainty.
This new conclusion reinforced the team’s suspicion that the material was most likely a composite of butyl rubber and PVA, machinery often utilized in the oil and gas sector for cleaning out pipes that transfer oil into tankers.
This explanation finally laid to rest the puzzling mystery that had perplexed both local residents and scientific specialists alike.
“It’s amusing that no one thought to reach out to a chemist until very late. Everyone had their own opinions and speculation, but no one was really taking a scientific and experimental point of view,” Kozak reflected on the circumstances surrounding the investigation.
Yet, certain aspects of the blobs raised concern for Kozak. While he confirmed that it isn’t toxic and is safe to handle once cured, the material’s density, being greater than that of water, means that most of it has settled beneath the ocean’s surface.
“All we are seeing is the stuff that’s being washed ashore. I suspect a lot of this stuff is at the bottom of the sea and being churned up by the comings and goings of the tide,” Kozak warned. “This definitely does not belong in the environment. It’s plastic pollution and what worries me is that because of its shape, it could be mistaken by marine wildlife for food.”
Kozak has initiated communication with the federal government to share his findings, although he has yet to receive a response.
He expressed that the nature and volume of the discharge strongly suggest industrial origins.
“I’m pleased to provide residents with clarity regarding what these substances are. Now that they have this information, they can investigate further to determine where it originated and who may be responsible,” he stated.
“Industry is crucial for the development of this province, but simultaneously, it can leave a very dire environmental footprint,” Kozak concluded.
**Interview with Chemist Chris Kozak on the Mysterious White Blobs Washing Up in Newfoundland**
**Host:** Good morning, everyone! Today, we have a special guest with us, chemist Chris Kozak, who is investigating the series of peculiar white blobs that have washed ashore in Newfoundland. Chris, thank you for joining us!
**Chris Kozak:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** To start off, can you tell us a bit about how you got involved in this unusual investigation?
**Chris Kozak:** Certainly! I first became aware of the blobs when reports started coming in from the community about these strange, dough-like masses appearing on the beaches. Once I obtained a sample, we officially kicked off what we’ve dubbed Project Unknown Glob.
**Host:** Fascinating! What were your first impressions of these blobs when you finally got a sample?
**Chris Kozak:** The first thing I did was poke it and smell it. It might sound simple, but these basic tests revealed a lot. The blob felt rubbery, similar to overworked bread dough, which led us to think it might be an elastomer polymer. The smell was reminiscent of a solvent aisle in a hardware store, which gave us further clues about its composition.
**Host:** Residents have been guessing what these blobs could be, and some even compared them to toutons, a local fried delicacy. What have your tests revealed so far?
**Chris Kozak:** Initially, we thought they might relate to the fishing industry, like polyurethane foam used in boat insulation. However, tests showed no evidence of key components like nitrogen or sulfur that would be present in polyurethane. This contradicted earlier claims by environmental authorities. Instead, we identified the blobs as potentially being synthetic materials, specifically polyvinyl acetate and characteristics of synthetic rubber.
**Host:** That sounds quite definitive! So, what do you believe the original source might be?
**Chris Kozak:** Based on the synthetic nature of the blobs, our leading theory is that they are a composite of butyl rubber and polyvinyl acetate. This machinery is often seen in the oil and gas sector, particularly used for cleaning pipes that transfer oil into tankers.
**Host:** That’s incredible research! What are the next steps for you and your team?
**Chris Kozak:** We’ll continue our analysis and work closely with environmental authorities to determine the broader implications of our findings. It’s vital to understand the potential impact on local ecosystems and communities.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Chris. We look forward to hearing more about your findings as the investigation progresses!
**Chris Kozak:** Thank you for having me! There’s still a lot to uncover, and I appreciate your interest in this fascinating case.
