Mysterious globs ooze wild speculation

Lumpy white globs washing up on the shores of Canada's Atlantic island province of Newfoundland have captivated the imagination of locals for weeks and are baffling scientists.

The slimy, spongy globs as big as dinner plates were discovered by beachcombers in early September scattered over the pebbly beaches of Placentia Bay on the island's southern tip.

Several people posted pictures on social media asking if anyone knew anything about them.

Responses flooded in, some speculating they may be clumps of cheese, alien poo or whale boogers.

Others opined they might be discarded breakfast biscuit dough or paraffin wax from a tanker that was cleaned out and discharged at sea. They tried to light them on fire and discovered they are combustible.

Authorities say they are taking this possible pollution threat "very seriously."

The Canadian Coast Guard sent a three-person team "to assess the situation" and collect samples on the beaches west of provincial capital St John's for testing.