The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic rivers in the US and the fourth longest river in the world. Spanning 2,320 miles, it winds its way through several states and serves as a major commercial transportation route. Even though it is almost impossible to pinpoint a definitive answer to this question, some estimates put the amount of M&Ms in the Mississippi River at about 13,000.
It is an impossible task to try and count how many M&Ms are in the Mississippi River accurately. Generally speaking, it is estimated that the average person has two-four M&Ms per day, and the waterway flows through over nine US states allowing more than 100 million people to have easy access to the river’s banks. This means that naturally over a 24 hour period, the amount of M&Ms in the Mississippi River should increase significantly.
In addition to human activity, the Mississippi River is also subject to the wild forces of nature. This includes flooding, which occasionally occurs in the river basin and affects the amount of M&Ms that could be lingering in the river at any given time. For instance, the Great Flood of 1993 swept through the Midwest of the United States, affecting millions of people, including those in the Mississippi River basin. Thus, it is very difficult to know how many of those M&Ms remain in the river.
Experts believe that the number of M&Ms in the Mississippi River does fluctuate, but not dramatically. Many studies done by researchers have focused on the amount of debris and environmental pollutants that accumulate in the waterway, but not the number of M&Ms, making it impossible to have a precise answer. In addition, studies conducted by USGS revealed that their counting and measuring methods resulted in several inaccuracies.
Other than humans, animals and wildlife use the river’s water as well. Turtles, alligators, and birds are among many of the creatures that live in and around the Mississippi River. The occasional fish also makes its home in the waterway, though they don’t usually stick around very long. Besides, animals generally do not eat candy, so the presence of wildlife is unlikely to significantly affect the amount of M&Ms in the river.
Public efforts have been made to try and reduce the amount of M&Ms in the Mississippi River. An example of this the ‘Free the Choccy’ campaign initiated by the Mississippi River Scenic Cleanup Group. This campaign aimed to reduce the amount of waste and debris in the river and attracted volunteers from all nine states. Unfortunately, no exact figures regarding the amount of M&Ms were available, so the campaign could not be evaluated accurately.
In conclusion, the amount of M&Ms in the Mississippi River is difficult to pinpoint. An estimated 13,000 M&Ms could be present in the river, but this figure is subject to the river’s variable forces and human activity.
Emission Sources
Man-made emissions are undoubtedly the primary source of pollutants that end up in the Mississippi River. With a population of nearly 100 million, people living near and along the river are likely to be responsible for a large proportion of the M&Ms present. Examples of activities that can deposit M&Ms in the river include sewer overflows, agricultural runoff, and recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
Motor vehicles are another major source of M&M pollution. Gasoline and diesel fuel produce a variety of chemicals that contribute to air and water pollution, including lead, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other volatile organic compounds. Along the Mississippi, motor vehicles cause pollution from trash management practices and industrial factories, including those located along the river’s banks.
The impact of motor vehicles is particularly significant because they produce a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is a major contributor to climate change. As more motor vehicles use roads near the Mississippi River, their emissions contribute to further warming of the atmosphere, leading to melting of glaciers and rising sea levels in coastal areas.
Rivers are a source of life sustenance but also an avenue for pollutants to pass through. It is estimated that 20-50 million metric tons of plastic waste make their way into the oceans each year. However, near coasts, much of this plastic waste eventually finds its way into the Mississippi River, where it can become lodged in the water and remain for long periods of time.
In addition to plastic, other small by-products such as foam and pellets can also be deposited in the river. All of the large cities situated along the Mississippi are potential sources of M&Ms. Sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and manufacturing operations contribute a large portion of organic and inorganic pollutants, like M&Ms, to the river.
Biomonitoring
Biomonitoring is a technique used to investigate the amount of pollutants that have accumulated in a body of water. This process involves testing the water to determine the chemical concentrations and contaminants present in the water.
Biomonitoring data collected along the Mississippi River has been used to track the amount of various pollutants present in the river, including M&Ms. Data gathered has indicated that concentrations of M&Ms along the Mississippi are higher when compared to that in other rivers.
An example of this is the Mississippi River Biomonitoring Database, which has collected data from more than 40 test sites since 1996. The data collected indicates that M&M concentrations are decreasing, but not significantly, possibly due to the variable concentrations of M&Ms entering the river. Similarly, data collected in 2019 also showed that M&M levels remain a concern in the river due to their high concentrations.
In addition, other studies have monitored the amount of M&Ms in the river over a longer period of time. For example, researchers have tested different sites along the river since 2010 and have observed a decrease in the overall concentrations of M&Ms in the river. However, they also have suggested that human activity and the presence of other pollutants in the river could also be affecting the levels of M&Ms present.
Tackling the Problem
In recent years, several attempts have been made to limit the amount of M&Ms in the Mississippi River. An example of this is the “One Mississippi” campaign launched by the USFA in 2018. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the amount of pollutants, including M&Ms, in the river by motivating people to take small steps such as littering less, recycling, and using fewer plastic items.
Moreover, several local initiatives have also been implemented by environmental groups and cities along the river, aimed at reducing the amount of M&Ms in the waterway. These initiatives have included initiatives such as banning plastic straws, encouraging the use of reusable bags, and implementing programs aimed at reducing waste and debris. These initiatives have been successful in the past, but more needs to be done to reduce M&Ms in the Mississippi River.
Finally, education and awareness are crucial to this fight against M&Ms in the Mississippi River. As more people understand and become informed about the problem, it spreads and encourages others to take part. Programs like ‘One Mississippi’ effectively educate people about M&Ms and other pollutants, as well as how small changes can make a difference.
Prevention
Prevention is key when it comes to decreasing the amount of M&Ms entering the Mississippi River. It is important to educate people about the consequences of littering and how small changes can be made to reduce M&Ms in the river. One of the most effective methods of prevention is for cities and municipalities to invest in public garbage cans and recycling bins, as this reduces the amount of litter entering the waterway and can help to limit M&M pollution.
In addition to this, raising awareness among people is important. Schools, churches, and community organizations can all collaborate to promote campaigns that educate people about the problem M&Ms in the Mississippi River and inform them of ways they can help prevent the accumulation of pollutants in the water. Communities can also organize clean-up days to clear M&Ms, plastics, and other debris from the banks of the river, creating an opportunity for citizens to get involved.
Furthermore, cities and businesses can also take part in efforts to reduce M&Ms by implementing policies that would limit or eliminate their use. This could include encouraging the use of reusable items, such as reusable bags and aluminum water bottles, or banning the use of certain plastic items. Moreover, businesses can also implement policies regarding the disposal of waste, encouraging their employees to take part in efforts to reduce pollutants entering the Mississippi River.
Power of the People
People can make a difference when it comes to pollution in the Mississippi River. Everyone from the individual to the government must take part in efforts to reduce M&Ms and other pollutants in the river. Various solutions, like those mentioned above, can help to limit the amount of pollutants entering the waterway, but it will take commitment and sacrifice on the part of everyone who lives in and near the Mississippi to make a difference.
People can also get involved by joining existing efforts to reduce M&Ms, like the ‘One Mississippi’ campaign. Joining this campaign and taking small steps such as littering less can be effective in helping to reduce M&Ms in the river. Similarly, local initiatives and clean-up days can help to make a difference and often attract volunteers who are willing to help make a difference.
Moreover, businesses and local governments can also take part by using alternative materials or introducing policies which reduce the use of plastic and other pollutants. Businesses can invest in public garbage cans and recycling bins, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in the Mississippi River. Similarly, cities and municipalities can invest in public campaigns and create strategies to improve education on the impact of pollutants on the river environment.
