Soapy canal water

paul.fr · « **on:** 15/04/2007 23:34:30 »

Whilst on the train today, i passed a canal and the water looked like it had 'soap bubbles' on it! What were those bubbles and what caused them?

Carolyn · « **Reply #1 on:** 16/04/2007 19:39:08 »

Is it a salt or fresh water canal?

paul.fr · « **Reply #2 on:** 16/04/2007 19:42:48 »

Quote from: Carolyn on 16/04/2007 19:39:08

Is it a salt or fresh water canal?

i would say freash water, although it did not look very fresh!

the water looked really scummy, in places the surface was covered in soapy looking bubbles.

Carolyn · « **Reply #3 on:** 16/04/2007 19:47:24 »

Sometimes we see that here too. (Gulf coast of Florida)

I usually notice it around the times that we're having a red tide outbreak.

Maybe it's stormwater runoff from a laundromat or car wash.

another_someone · « **Reply #4 on:** 16/04/2007 20:30:46 »

That kind of soapy surface is very unlikely in this country to be caused by marine algae. It could possibly be caused by fresh water algae (possibly feeding off farmland runoff that is over-rich in nitrates), but as likely, it is industrial pollution. In any case, I would doubt it is healthy for the fish.

cheryl j · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/11/2011 01:23:18 »

Decaying plant material contains surfactants that will create foam that resembles soap bubbles.

Soapy canal water

paul.fr

Soapy canal water

Carolyn

Soapy canal water

paul.fr

Soapy canal water

Carolyn

Soapy canal water

another_someone

Soapy canal water

cheryl j

Soapy canal water

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