Tarballs Wash Ashore at Mumbai’s Chowpatty and Juhu Beaches Amid Seasonal Marine Activity

Patade explained that tarballs typically reach the coast due to onshore winds and described the development as an annual occurrence. He further noted that similar formations have also been observed at Juhu Beach. Shaunak Modi, who has been documenting oil spills and tarballs for several years, corroborated these observations, confirming their presence across multiple stretches of the city’s coastline.

According to a 2017 research paper titled “Diversity of Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Tarballs: Recent Developments and Future Prospects” by the National Institute of Oceanography, tarballs are remnants of crude oil left behind after the extraction of petrol. These formations originate when crude oil floats on the ocean surface and undergoes weathering in marine environments. Over time, they are carried toward shorelines by ocean currents and wave activity.

While tarballs are generally small, often coin-sized and scattered across beaches, instances have been recorded where they have grown significantly larger. In some cases, they have reached the size of basketballs, weighing up to 6 to 7 kilograms.

The recurring appearance of tarballs along Mumbai’s coastline underscores ongoing marine environmental challenges and highlights the need for continued monitoring of offshore oil pollution and its impact on coastal ecosystems.