Oil Spills Pollution In The Mississippi River
Oil spills pose a huge threat to the environment and wildlife, specifically to freshwater and marine ecosystems. The Mississippi River is an integral part of American culture, providing economic and recreational opportunities to many. Over the years, it has been affected by numerous oil spills caused by human activities including vessel collisions, dredging, and offshore oil and gas production, among others. In this article, we seek to answer the question – Are oil spills common in the Mississippi River?
Oil and other pollutants have been known to enter the Mississippi River through a variety of means. Oil spills in the river occur when crude oil is released directly into it, either from leaking pipes, tanker ship accidents, or through intentional discharges of oil from refineries, offshore drilling stations, and oil storage sites. These spills can cause immense damage to the environment, compromising the river’s biodiversity and creating long-term ecological damage in the water and on land.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are kept busy monitoring and responding to oil spills. In 2006, the FWS estimated that around 1,500 oil spills occurred in the Mississippi River each year. Of these, approximately one-third resulted in a significant environmental impact. The report noted that the majority of oil spills reported to the FWS were relatively small and localized, yet there were some large and catastrophic spills.
The most infamous major oil spill in the Mississippi River was the Exxon Valdez in 1989, which involved about 11 million gallons of oil entering the water, causing widespread damage and contamination. This single incident is not the only oil spill that impacted the river, however. In 2005, two barges collided, spilling 400,000 gallons of fuel oil into the river. In 2012, 20,000 gallons of fuel from a barge and another 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel from a wrecked boat spilled in the river over two days. More recently, in 2018, 11 barges, carrying almost 1.3 million gallons of gasoline, spilled into the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River connects to many different tributaries, making it susceptible to many different sources of pollution. Oil spills can have an enormous impact on the environment and local wildlife. They can cause the death of aquatic plants, fish, and even larger animals, and lead to further water contamination down the line. In addition, spills can cause large-scale ecological disruption. For example, in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster, entire fishing grounds were wiped out and hundreds of local businesses were adversely affected.
Tackling Oil Spills In The Mississippi River
In order to protect the Mississippi from oil spills, the EPA has instituted a variety of programs to mitigate the impact of oil spills. It requires vessels that are carrying hazardous materials to carry pollution insurance and take necessary precautions to avoid oil spills, such as an oil containment boom, absorbent boom, and an emergency response plan. In addition, the US Coast Guard has implemented regulations for oil spill prevention and response. These include establishing an emergency response section and a Vessel Response Plan (VRP) to be implemented in the event of an oil spill.
The EPA also conducts regular monitoring programs to track the presence of oil and other pollutants in the Mississippi. The FWS estimates that more than 600,000 chemical samples are taken from the river every year. The data collected is used to track and monitor water quality, as well as to identify hazardous materials and areas that are more susceptible to oil spills. The EPA also utilizes these data to identify sources of water pollution and to develop prevention strategies that ensure the river’s health and safety.
In addition, the FWS works in collaboration with local organizations and communities to develop public awareness and response plans to oil spills. These plans often include local clean-up efforts, as well as outreach and education methods to help spread awareness about how to prevent and respond to oil spills. The US Coast Guard also works with the local community to coordinate clean-up operations, as well as to provide funding for the purchase of necessary oil spill response materials.
Efforts To Restore The Mississippi River’s Ecology
The physical impact of major oil spills can be devastating, but the ecological damage is equally, if not more so. In order to address these problems, the EPA is working with local partners, such as the FWS, to develop management plans to restore the ecology of the river. Such plans could involve restoring damaged wetlands, increasing dredging operations, and creating restored aquatic habitats. The FWS has implemented state-level efforts, including creative strategies to restore fish and wildlife habitats along the river.
In addition to addressing the environmental threats of oil spills, the EPA is also seeking to limit the chances of a major incident in the first place. It is encouraging vessels to use alternative fuels and improved oil tank designs that are less prone to spills. In order to protect the Mississippi River from future incidents, the EPA and other federal agencies are promoting the use of advanced navigation tools and the development of training programs for local communities.
Public Perception And Safety
The public’s perception of oil spills on the Mississippi has been largely negative due to the damaging effects these spills can have. As such, it is important for the public to understand the risks of oil spills and how to respond. This necessitates public awareness campaigns, as well as training for first-responders. The federal government, in conjunction with local stakeholders, runs several prevention and response programs to ensure the safety of the Mississippi’s ecosystem.
Therefore, despite the large number of oil spills that have occurred in the Mississippi River, steps have been taken to minimize the risks of future spills. The federal government has implemented a variety of proactive programs and regulations in order to protect freshwater and marine ecosystems from contamination due to oil spills.
The Economic Impact Of Oil Spills On Mississippi
In addition to the environmental impact of oil spills, there is also an economic impact to consider. Oil spills in the river can have a major effect on the economy of the region, with some estimates placing the total economic damage of the Exxon Valdez disaster alone at $5.3 billion. The costs include efforts to cleanup up the pollution, damage to infrastructure and fish stocks, and lost opportunities due to the closure of affected fishing grounds.
Moreover, in the wake of a major oil spill, there can be a decrease in tourism and fishing activities, resulting in significant job losses in the local community. In the time between 1989 and 2006, only 6% of spill-affected fish stocks in the Mississippi had been fully rehabilitated, which means that the economic loss due to the lack of these fish stocks over that amount of time is still unknown.
This highlights the importance of preventing oil spills from occurring in the first place. Thus, the federal government and other agencies are taking steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Mississippi River, by developing response plans, regulations, and management plans to protect it from oil contamination.
Conclusion
Oil spills are a major threat to the Mississippi River, but they are not an unavoidable issue. Through the implementation of regulations and preventive measures, the federal government has put into place a range of programs to protect the river and mitigate the damage caused by oil spills. In addition, the EPA and other organizations are working to restore the river’s ecology and promote awareness of oil spills and risk prevention.
The conclusions we can draw from this article are that although oil spills are a common and serious issue on the Mississippi River, they are avoidable. There are a range of regulations, response plans, and management strategies in place to help protect and restore the river, and it is up to us to ensure that these measures are followed in order to keep the Mississippi healthy and safe.
