As one of the major geographical landmarks in North America, the Mississippi River has long been an integral part of the physical and cultural landscape of the United States. However, the effects of the Mississippi River extend beyond its deep historical significance and influence – its huge size and meandering path has a direct influence on weather patterns across the whole region.
Due to its vast size, the Mississippi River is the source of the majority of water vapor entering the atmosphere through the Midwest, which has huge impacts on the nearby states and their weather. During the summer months, air masses travelling over the warm, humid waterways are heated and gain moisture, thus becoming heavier and cooler. These air masses eventually rise, with the formed clouds delivering rain to the area. This means that the Mississippi River is a key factor in the formation of storms in the Midwest and providing much of the storm energy and moisture.
Further, the Mississippi River is also believed to play an integral role in the infamous tornado season commonly experienced throughout the Central United States. This is because the river’s warm, humid waters act as a source for the severe weather and help to form condensation and clouds in the atmosphere. In particular, regions around the ‘tornado alley’, which stretches from Texas to South Dakota, experience an abnormally high number of tornados due to the combination of the warm, humid air from the Mississippi River, as well as the strong cool air from the Rocky Mountain region.
Melting snow from the Rocky Mountain region is also carried by the river to the Gulf of Mexico. This additional fresh water supply affects the salinity levels of the Gulf of Mexico. In turn, this injects excess energy into the atmosphere, resulting in higher winds and consequently causes more powerful storms, while also affecting temperatures.
The sheer size of the Mississippi River also adds an interesting element to the northern-south divide in the US. For instance, although the flow of water means that the river has cooler temperatures along its southern shores, such as in New Orleans, the heat can be trapped in the same regions, as the river is relatively deep and narrow. This means that although the south is hotter in the summer, its temperatures remain relatively consistent compared to those in the north.
Impact on the Climate
Overall, the Mississippi River has a far-reaching influence on the regional climate, from strong storms to a consistent warm climate in the south. In addition, the river also affects long-term global climate change. Due to the high levels of fossil fuel consumption, the Mississippi River and its surrounding areas have experienced longer, more warmer summers as well as snow-less winters. This is a result of the warm air currents from the Gulf of Mexico that travel up the river, causing temperatures and weather patterns to become increasingly erratic.
Aside from the immediate occurrence of storms, the amount of freshwater entering the ocean can also have an impact on the global ocean currents and the changing temperatures of the atmosphere. The freshwater entering form the Mississippi River makes the areas around the Gulf of Mexico more hospitable for living aquatic creatures, and is believed to have an impact on global sea level rise.
Pollution
The Mississippi River’s great size and eventual flow into the Gulf of Mexico, however, means that pollution has become a very pressing problem. As pollutants from industrial production are released into the air, they eventually make their way into the Mississippi River and the surrounding areas, contaminating the waters and causing long-term damage to the ecosystem.
The polluted waters of the river have a direct impact on the ecosystem, often leading to unsustainable fishing practices, destruction of habitats and even lower water quality. The sedimentation caused by the polluted waters can also become a hindrance when it comes to fishing, as the suspended particles can block sunlight and deplete oxygen levels in the water, which can further damage fish stocks.
In addition, the pollutants and toxins released into the air from the Mississippi River can lead to an increase in air pollution, and create issues such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The pollutants can also cause major disruptions to aquatic life, resulting in lower populations and an overall decrease in biodiversity.
Environmental Policies and Regulations
In order to combat the pollution of the Mississippi River and other rivers within the US, the federal government has implemented a number of policies and regulations. These include the Clean Water Act, which sets standards for the management and protection of US waters, as well as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, which prevents pollutants from entering the waters. Additionally, a number of states have implemented their own watershed and pollution management initiatives, in order to better protect their rivers and ecosystems.
Mitigation Strategies
In order to ensure that the Mississippi River and the surrounding environment remains safe and healthy, corporations and organizations have taken it upon themselves to create and implement their own strategies for mitigating pollution. Several companies have implemented various initiatives, such as the creation of artificial wetlands, which help filter out pollutants from the water, or use combustion technologies to reduce emissions from their factories. Additionally, there are also numerous civic efforts for river cleanliness that involve individuals volunteering their time to clean up trash and debris from the river’s banks.
Conclusion
It is clear that the Mississippi River has a profound impact on the weather and climate of the United States. Its large size and eventual flow into the Gulf of Mexico means that it is a prime source for water vapor, which can influence the formation of storms and its consequent rain. Additionally, its role in affecting temperatures, global climate change and an increased level of pollutants in the atmosphere have all become pressing issues that need to be addressed. Despite this, however, it is also true that the Mississippi River is vital to the region, and its presence is still felt in a number of ways. It is thanks to the many policies and initiatives being implemented that the river is being protected and preserved for generations to come.
