Physical Characteristics of Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico
The Mississippi River is North America’s fourth largest river and the largest to empty into the Gulf of Mexico. Stretching from its source in Minnesota to its mouth in Louisiana, the Mississippi flows for an impressive 3,780 km. In contrast, the Gulf of Mexico is the largest body of water located between the US and Mexico, covering a land area of approximately 1.5 million square miles. Its depth varies from a shallow coastal area of several feet, to around 11,000 feet at its deepest point.
Flow of Mississippi River Into the Gulf
The Mississippi River is linked to the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi Delta – a riverine delta formed of sediment deposits created over centuries by the ongoing movement of the River. One of the wondersof the natural world, the Delta is home to a variety of species, bursting with life and energy. As the Mississippi creates the delta, it deposits an ever-growing portion of its sediment into the Gulf of Mexico. This sediment contains various particles that vary in size – ranging from clay, to silt, sand, and gravel.
Mixing of River and Gulf Water
At close range, the two water sources remain distinct and easy to distinguish. Although it may appear that the two waters do not mix, this may not be accurate. Crucially, lower density salt water from the Gulf rises and mixes with the fresh water from the Mississippi. This occurs when the strong river current pushes into and becomes trapped in the shallower, saltier water of the Gulf. While the two different water types mix together, the result is a blend of the two.
Effect on Marine Life
The Mississippi River is home to a variety of ecological hotspots which have, collectively, earned it the nickname of the ‘aquatic highway’. Many species of fish and wildlife inhabit the river and its Delta, while the Gulf of Mexico is renowned for its rich marine diversity. The movement of particles and creatures between the Mississippi and the Gulf, has had a variety of repercussions on the local ecosystems. For fish, the mixing of the two waters is helpful. It has provided averse array of habitats for the fish to flourish in -either feeding on the nutrients in the Mississippi or Gulf.
Ecological Impact of Mixing Waters on Other Marine Life
The mixing of the two waters also allows for species to migrate and expand their range. Many species, such as endangered sturgeon, are known to rapidly reproduce in these areas as a result of the intermixing. On the other hand, the mixing of the waters can also introduce foreign species, leading to the displacement of local specimens.
Human Impact on Intermixing Waters
The influx of nutrients can also have an effect on the crop species and affect the environment. For example, offshore fertilizer runoff can cause harmful algal blooms, making the water ecosystem and environment less hospitable for other species. Additionally, the river has been used for centuries for trade and transport, meaning that the materials found in the water can also be damaging to wildlife.
Water Quality in Mississippi & Gulf
Water quality in both the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico has been of great concern for two decades due to pollution in the river itself. Pollution from sources such as sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and oil and gas drilling, can contaminate both water sources. This human-made pollution can cause serious disruption to the Mississippi’s ecology as well as the Gulf of Mexico’s – often
threatening to ecosystem survival.
Human Effect on Risks in Marine Environment
The human effect on the intermixing of the two waters can also result in a number of risks when it comes to the marine environment. Powerful hurricanes, for example, are known to have caused mudslides in the Mississippi delta which can, in turn, throw tonnes of mud into the Gulf. This mud can then suffocate largeParts of the Gulf of Mexico, which in turn affects its marine life.
Economic Impact of Mixing Waters
The intermingling of the two waters can also have serious economic effects. Property damage and loss of subsistence business, can be a result of flooding caused by the two waters intermixing. It can also lead to an increased amount of sediment in the water, making the ecosystem less hospitable for marine life.
Addressing the Water Quality Issues in Mississippi & Gulf
To prevent further damage to the environment and ecosystem, a number of initiatives have been launched to help clean and protect the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. These include, restoring wetlands and spearheading removal of pollutants. Public awareness campaigns and educational projects have also been developed, in order to educate the public on the implications of their actions on the environment.
Effectiveness of Cleaning Programs
Despite the efforts of the cleaning programs, it may be difficult to effectively restore the environment to its original state. This is due to the large amounts of pollutants that are still entering both waters, which can throw off any efforts at clean-up.
Technical Approaches to Reduce the Pollution Flow
The most efficient way to reduce the pollution flow into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, is to implement more technological measures. For example, it could be beneficial to introduce water filtration systems at various points on the river. This type of filtering would reduce the amount of pollutants flowing into the Gulf. Additionally, more aerial surveillance could be beneficial to detect any suspicious activity along the banks of the Mississippi.
Role of Human in Environmental Conservation
The health of the River and Gulf of Mexico is reliant on the conservation efforts of individuals living in the vicinity. In addition to reducing pollutants entering the Mississippi, controlling the amount of chemicals used in agriculture and avoiding illegal dumping could go a long way towards maintaining water quality.
