Todd Markey

On a similar previous post on permies, someone suggested that I do a "stick test" where you pass a stick through the slick.  If it immediately closes up the way it was, then it is some oil/petroleum product.  But if it cracks and stays apart, it is iron oxide/bacteria.  My test was definitely the latter.  It cracked like dry desert ground and stayed apart.  I guess that's good news?  

I'm in north Georgia (the US State, not the former soviet "republic").  The sheen is pretty much everywhere there is standing water.

Unfortunately I don't know much about the history of this property or the area.  I'll contact the previous owner and see what I can find out.  

When water pools up on my new property, I see an oily surface in some parts.  Can that be natural, or does it necessarily mean that there is some contamination that I need to address?

I moved here about 6 months ago.  I'd like to build a small pond, but if there is some kind of oil leak, then certainly that would need to be addressed first.  There is no obvious source of oil like a car repair shop next door or anything.

Thanks!