Environment and Climate Change Canada is continuing its analysis of a mysterious substance that washed up in blobs on beaches throughout Placentia Bay in recent weeks.

Memorial University chemistry professor Chris Kozak and his students identified the substance as a concentrated form of polyvinyl acetate. The federal government acknowledges the work done in parallel with MUN to identify the substance.

The department won’t speculate on the origins of the pollutant as an investigation is currently underway. An update will be provided when next steps are determined.