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Oil ? on surface of some stream puddles


Deimos
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Not so much wildlife, but a nature related question.

Water levels in a stream I’ve got are now quite low and levels

are below river mud (i.e. much of the now muddy stream bed is exposed).  I’m seeing what looks like “oil coating” on

some of the small pools that are around. 

Just in little patches (e.g. square foot here and there).  Sometimes the “oil” appears to be flowing a

bit.

I describe it as oil as it is a thin coating on the surface

or the pool/mud that has the slight “multi-colour” appearance.  I don’t think its pollution as the patches

start and end within a foot or so so no evidence that whatever it is has flowed

from upstream.

Is this really oil (should I be claiming mineral rights and

calling OPEC) or is there something else causing it.  Its only a few small areas and even if it was oil, its not enough to be a problem and not enough to clean up or anything.  Just asking more out of interest.

Ian

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Hi Ian,    Reckon your going to have to think of another way to get rich, or are you rich already?

I think it may be caused by some small quantities of organic material decomposing, probably in the mud or silt. I have got an inkling that this happens all the time but when the water levels are higher or there is a good flow it doesn't notice - have to say that I am not 100% about this.  I have seen it sometimes in rushy areas that remain waterlogged or under water for part of the year.

Cheers, Chris

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It is certainly the “decomposing mineral rich” type of river

mud.  I actually noticed it as I am

currently digging out the stream (as water levels are low) and there is around

a 15cm build-up of mud (until one gets to the sand/stones at the stream bed).  Digs out quite neatly (a but like “peat” in

that you cut sides with the space then lift out and you lift out a square block

of mud.

I suppose the silt has build-up to be just below/just above

the normal water level so it is in the “waterlogged/underwater for part of the

year” category.

Many thanks

Ian

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Oil, gas and coal are the breakdown products of plant and animal life from million of years ago.  But no surprise,these materials start to breakdown very quickly and under the right conditions you see evidence of oil and gas quite soon in the breakdown process.  Coal takes a little longer, but if you dig up a peat bog, you will find pieces of wood well on thier way to the brown coal stage.  As Chris pointed out, in flowing water the materials are carried away but in stagnant water - bogs, marshes and semi dried out streams - they become more apparent.
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Re: the Ragondins; Wish it could but the water level has been down since Nov.  In winter (now), the upstream watermill

opens its sluice gates to allow free flow of water both down the river and

through the mill channels (we share the same mill channel, him 1Km upstream).  Ragondins have been pretty happy with the

lower level until I started mentioning guns. 

Lower levels actually allowed me to see their den entrance in the bank

(though I did nothing to it) – I’m actually working on a feeder stream and the

main channel still has up to a couple of feet depth.  Still not seen them.

Lower water level does give me the “opportunity” to dig out

the silt.  Unfortunately the younger dog

loves this work – she leaps in and out of the river silt, all over the mud pile

accumulating on the banks, etc. and gets completely covered in mud.  But at the moment its too cold and I’m not

happy with the idea of hosing her off outside (in the state she gets in there

in no way she is coming in the house even to get to the bathroom and the hot

water tap).

Ian

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It is entirely possible that this is oil formed from the anaerobic

breakdown of plant material. It could be a hydrocarbon - "marsh gas"

methane is formed like this - though I think it more likely that it is

probably more likey a vegetable oil or something called a "terpene".

While care should obviously be taken not to release mineral oil into

the environment, it is quite surprising how much does crop up from

natural sources and just how many organisms are happy to eat it.

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[quote user="chris pp"]

The other place that I am sure that I have seen it is in puddles surrounding muck heaps from cleaning out animal sheds, anyone else noticed that or is my memory playing up?

Chris

[/quote]

Now you mention it I think I remember having seen the same

around farm yards (ie. Actually on small puddles on the muck heap and not spilt

diesel around the yard.

Ian

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