Oil in local neighborhood pond?

[maddieseattle01]

Hi everyone. I recently went to my local favorite neighborhood pond and noticed the surface looked weird like there was oil all on the surface. I visited yesterday and this substance was not on the water. The ducks that were swimming through the water had a dark underside from the substance and the feathers looked a little oily. I contacted the HOA to see if they could get maintenance to check it out, but wanted to get your guys opinions on what it could be.

 

[GBBUDD]

Just because it has a rainbow sheen does not mean it is badddd. If you put your finger to it poke the film /sheen and or rainbow. If it seems to almost run away from your finger then this is a natural sheen it's the oils from dead and dieing organic matter. Totally natural . Now if it does not run away from your finger but coats your finger then there is reason to be concerned.

 

[bagsmom]

I had a container pond that I did as an experiment a couple of years ago. No filtration - just a dwarf lily, a small lotus, and a few floating plants with some guppies. It was great until it wasn't. Something went wrong. The oily rainbow sheen on the surface was my first clue that something was dying in there. So - as GBBUDD says - it can be something natural.

 

[Burd]

Doesnt some pumps have oil in them ?
I remember some telling me not to use certain pumps.

 

[GBBUDD]

Yes there is oil in most pumps maybe not a bath as they call It of oil but that's where the finger test comes in if the sheen jumps away from your finger when you poke the water slowly then it is a natural film if it sticks to your finger then it's a man made oil and its a problem

 

[j.w]

@maddieseattle01
I grew up in Seattle in the Magnolia area. Went to school at Q.A high before they turned it into condo's.
I learned something cuz you posted this. Thanks @GBBUDD I did not know that about the oil!

 

[Bluerooster]

I've seen that in natural streams and ponds. No clue as to what it is.

 

[TimL94]

I get this "mess" / "muck" on the surface of my pond when pigeons wash themselves in my pond