Every coastal city has an iconic waterway that runs through it, with New York City having the Hudson River, while Chicago has the snaking Lake Michigan and Sydney has the sweeping harbour. But have you ever heard of the Mississippi River? This river is perhaps the most iconic in the United States, stretching all the way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a sight to behold—the “Mighty Mississippi” as it is known, named for the ancient Sioux word for “big river.” But there’s something a little bit…unhealthy about this river. Just how dirty is the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River is 3,798 miles long and is made up of many other rivers, streams and lakes. It is known for its incredible biodiversity, with more than 200 species of fish living in its waters. Unfortunately, it is not just fish that lives its depths. Pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage is slowly but surely taking a toll on its waters.
Agricultural runoff refers to the nitrogen and phosphorus-rich chemicals that occur naturally in soil. These chemicals are washed away when it rains and end up in the Mississippi River. This causes eutrophication, a process which leads to a rise in the nutrient levels of water, causing algae to grow rapidly. As this algae grows and decays, it uses up all the oxygen in the water, leading to the death of fish and other organisms that live in the river.
The other major polluter of the Mississippi is sewage. Human waste is full of bacteria and viruses that can cause illness in humans. When these are released into the river, they can spread quickly, contaminating the water and making it unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, sewage often contains trace metals, such as lead and mercury, which can have toxic effects on aquatic organisms.
Experts say that the pollution of the Mississippi River is becoming more and more difficult to control. The river is so large that it takes a lot of time and effort to clean it up, and it costs a lot of money. Despite the efforts of the US government and environmental organisations, the pollution is growing and the river is increasingly becoming unsafe.
The environment around the Mississippi River is also adversely affected. The pollution has caused the area to become less habitable for animals and humans alike, and it can cause respiratory issues if one spends too long in the area. It has also caused an increase in the number of waterborne diseases, and recently, an outbreak of salmonella in the area has been linked to the river.
Chemical Pollution
The Mississippi River is particularly vulnerable to chemical pollution. This is due to its location – at the intersection of several industrial states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Louisiana. This means that many of the pollutants that enter the river do so as a result of effluent streams from factories and waste products from oil production and drilling.
The river is also contaminated by pharmaceuticals, lead and other metals, and even radioactive materials, which have been released into its waters by the many nuclear power plants that are scattered across the landscape. Even more concerning is the fact that some of the chemicals in the river come from the waste products of illegal drug manufacturing and disposal sites.
These chemicals can have a severe impact on the aquatic life in the Mississippi River, as well as on humans. Some of these chemicals, such as lead and mercury, can cause physical and mental development issues in people, as well as reproductive issues and neurological problems.
The rate of chemical pollution in the Mississippi River is hard to determine as many of the chemicals are undetectable. However, it is clear that the river is being contaminated by chemical pollutants and this is having a detrimental effect on its ecosystem.
Efforts to Combat Pollution
Fortunately, there are ongoing efforts to clean up the Mississippi River. Local and state governments are putting pressure on companies to reduce their emissions, and the US federal government has passed legislation to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the river. In addition, local environmental organisations are working to restore the natural balance of the river, by planting and nurturing native wetland grasses to help filter out pollutants, and reintroducing native fish species to help clean up the river.
These efforts are having an effect, and it is encouraging to see progress being made in cleaning up the Mississippi River. However, it is still not enough, as the river is still contaminated by pollutants that come from all around the US. The only way to truly clean up the river is to create legislation to limit the sources of pollution entering the Mississippi.
Impact on Local Communities
The pollution of the Mississippi River has had a noticeable impact on local communities. The river is an important part of many people’s livelihoods and is relied on for drinking water, swimming, fishing, and recreation. A contaminated river can have a drastic effect on a person’s health and quality of life.
In addition, contaminated water can lead to crop and livestock diseases, as well as causing damage to infrastructure near the river. This harms the local economy and can lead to poverty in the affected areas. The people living in these areas are also at a higher risk of developing illnesses from contaminated water, as it can spread quickly through the population.
For these reasons, it is important that the pollution of the Mississippi River is addressed. It is important to enact legislation to limit the sources of pollution, as well as to implement water quality measures. Doing so will help preserve the health and wellbeing of local communities, wildlife and the environment.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an iconic waterway that is slowly being polluted by agricultural runoff and sewage, as well as by chemical pollutants from factories and oil production. This pollution is making it less safe for humans to swim and drink its waters, as well as having detrimental effects on the local environment. There have been efforts to clean up the river, but more needs to be done to protect this precious resource. Local and state governments must work together to limit the pollutants entering the Mississippi, and water quality must be monitored to ensure that the river remains safe for humans and wildlife alike.
