oily film on ground water & dying beech tree

Question: Hi, we live in Olivebridge NY - our property is very wet but we have one area where there ground water appears to have an oily film, it is unclear if this is just runoff or it is perhaps coming from underground. Where can we get this tested? In this same area we have a European beech hedge that is about 4 years old. It is doing well but this week the leaves suddenly went brown and appear dead on one of the trees in that hedge. I have attached images of the leaves, this happened very fast in just one or 2 days. Thanks !

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 17, 2023, 10:59 AM EDT
response: Good morning Richard, The oily substance might be a natural process caused by anerobic bacteria. “This is a common wetland phenomenon. You generally see it in shallow pooled water amongst the vegetation. The oil is produced by microbes and we tend to see it when it becomes concentrated, as it does in these isolated pockets.” More Information: We often think of the natural world as separated into animals and plants. Or maybe multi-cellular life and single-celled life. Or if you are a biologist, maybe eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi) and prokaryotes (bacteria, archea). But another interesting way to divide the natural world is into those organisms that live in habitats with free oxygen (aerobes) and those that live in habitats without free oxygen (anaerobes). In habitats with oxygen, aerobic bacteria release carbon dioxide. In habitats without oxygen, anaerobic bacteria release methane. The surface of a marsh is aerobic – it has enough free oxygen for plants, animals, and aerobic bacteria. But because there is so much biological activity by all the oxygen-loving organisms above ground, most of the oxygen in the water gets quickly used up, and the resulting low oxygen water seals off the underlying mud from atmospheric oxygen. Just a couple of inches down, there is no free oxygen and the anaerobic bacteria rule a world of drowned muck. Because methane is a small, easily evaporated molecule, most of the methane produced by the anaerobes in their mud world escapes into the atmosphere. But some small percentage of it gets converted into larger hydrocarbons that are less likely to evaporate. They still are lighter than water, however, so they float on the surface. There is little difference between these naturally produced compounds and hydrocarbons like gasoline or oil, so the sheen on the water looks the same as if someone had spilled gas or oil. Another possible source for oil on the water of a marsh is oil released directly by plants, or oil released when plants and animals die. Because there is so much living and dying of plants and animals in a marsh, there is a fair amount of oil produced. Having said all that, of course, it is always possible that a gasoline or oil spill nearby caused this sheen. Lakes with heavy boat traffic are always subject to spilled gas and oil. Or it could be oil washed off from the oiling of the road, as you suggest. It’s hard to know for sure, and impossible to tell from pictures alone, of course. You’ll just have to use your judgment as to whether what you are seeing could be the natural marsh production of hydrocarbons, or something too thick and heavy and localized to be natural.  As for the European Beech hedge. If it is planted in this wet area the amount of rain we have been having may be causing the damage. I looked carefully at the picture you sent and looks like there may be some white bugs or eggs on it.  Look closely at the bush to see if you observe any insects. Also check the root area and check how soggy the ground is. You could bring a sample of the leaves to the Cornell office in the Kingston Plaza. We can investigate this issue further. The cost is $5.  You could also consult an arborist.  The sight treesaregood.org will help you find a certified arborist in our area. Let us know if you have any futher questions. Master Gardner Volunteer, Diane

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 17, 2023, 11:02 AM EDT
response: Please send your address and we can mail a list of water testing labs in our area.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT
response: Great thanks,address is 248 Weber Lane, Olivebridge Rd NY   12461any chance you can just email those labs?:)Thanks Richard Richard Hall248 Weber LaneOlivebridge, NY 12461tel<personal data hidden><personal data hidden>  On Jul 17, 2023, at 11:02 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2023, 11:35 AM EDT
response: Amazing, thanks so much Diane for your detailed response:)Richard & Mimi Richard Hall248 Weber LaneOlivebridge, NY 12461@tongoreacres  On Jul 17, 2023, at 10:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 17, 2023, 11:35 AM EDT
response: Unfortunately not. Will be in the mail today.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2023, 11:40 AM EDT
response: perfect:) Richard Hall248 Weber LaneOlivebridge, NY 12461tel<personal data hidden><personal data hidden>  On Jul 17, 2023, at 11:35 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: