Oil along Eriff River near Linnane

soapbloggs

Last summer I saw quite a lot of oil in the little streams flowing into the Eriff between Ashleigh Fall & the bridge. I went back today after a very wet winter & it's still there. It is like there was a lot of it that was absorbed into the soil around there & still seeps into the streams. It didn't exactly look like a healthy bit of nature right next to a premium Salmon river in the wilds of Mayo. I was wondering if anybody knows about this or why there seemingly is so much.

anglingcharts

soapbloggs wrote: »

Last summer I saw quite a lot of oil in the little streams flowing into the Eriff between Ashleigh Fall & the bridge. I went back today after a very wet winter & it's still there. It is like there was a lot of it that was absorbed into the soil around there & still seeps into the streams. It didn't exactly look like a healthy bit of nature right next to a premium Salmon river in the wilds of Mayo. I was wondering if anybody knows about this or why there seemingly is so much.

Are you sure its not ferric oxide ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_bacteria

soapbloggs

anglingcharts wrote: »

Are you sure its not ferric oxide ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_bacteria

I think you're right. Though there wasn't any obvious redness in the streams, apparently an oil like sheen can be seen in such cases too. Futhermore I just learned that the new Atlantic Way signs (for selfies) that also has been erected near this spot all rust (have no paint for protection) & there's an initial run off from these whilst the metal reacts to oxidation. The signs are controversial as they look ugly rusted & the rust is a potential health hazard in swimming areas so haven't been mounted there. I love the signs but I wished they'd painted them but apparently it was done for artistic reasons (reflects the wild Atlantic nature) & it's low maintenance.

anglingcharts

soapbloggs wrote: »

I think you're right. Though there wasn't any obvious redness in the streams, apparently an oil like sheen can be seen in such cases too. Futhermore I just learned that the new Atlantic Way signs (for selfies) that also has been erected near this spot all rust (have no paint for protection) & there's an initial run off from these whilst the metal reacts to oxidation. The signs are controversial as they look ugly rusted & the rust is a potential health hazard in swimming areas so haven't been mounted there. I love the signs but I wished they'd painted them but apparently it was done for artistic reasons (reflects the wild Atlantic nature) & it's low maintenance.

I don't imagine its much to do with a few roadsigns - its bog iron. There is no shortage of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog_iron. You'll see this in bogs and streams coming out of them all over the country.

soapbloggs

anglingcharts wrote: »

I don't imagine its much to do with a few roadsigns - its bog iron. There is no shortage of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog_iron. You'll see this in bogs and streams coming out of them all over the country.

You're probably right. I've never noticed it before but it sounds more plausable than a very rusty sign.

twin_beacon

It's probably the bog iron alright, see it after every flood.