The “Other” Smell of Autumn Leaves

I don’t know too many people who do not enjoy the smell of autumn leaves this time of year. Along with their multitude of colors, there are similar amounts of sweet smells as the leaves fall to the ground and continue to break down.

But, not all leaves fall to the ground to decompose. Some drop into our streams, rivers, and other watery impoundments. As those leaves break down, the odor created is far from pleasant. Pungent comes to mind when I approach the edge of a body of water that is not moving much and holding an abundance of leaves. Not only do I promptly notice the aroma, but I also see what appears to be black oil/water - almost a sheen - on the surface of the river.

According to my research, when the strong odors are present in decaying leaves in water, that smell is indicative of an oxygen-deprived environment. Not only is there a stink, but the watery habitat is of very poor quality for any aquatic life as “Black Mayonnaise” (as some call it) is created. Unless stopped, the area impacted with an overabundance of decaying leaves will become sterile and unable to host spawning fish and other watery life.

For some of us, the remedy to this situation is to prevent it. Instead of blowing leaves into the river, I mulch mine with the mower. Yes, some leaves are still falling into the calm area near our dock, but those leaves came from across the pond or from the branches hanging over the water. I cannot do much about those leaves, but I am doing my best to minimize the future stinky leaves ending up in the river.