Pollution in The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the most significant contributors to the health of the United States’ environment and local wildlife, carrying vast amounts of freshwater from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. In recent years, however, the pollution of the Mississippi has become an urgent issue, as researchers have found that its waters are filled with vast quantities of toxic substances.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that a range of toxic chemicals have been present in the river since the mid-20th century, and their concentrations are at an all-time high. These include heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, which are found in recreational fishing gear, agricultural and industrial runoff, oil spills, and leaky underground storage tanks. In addition, the EPA has detected other serious pollutants, such as PCBs, which are complicated mixtures of carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and mutagens.
The impact of the contamination of the Mississippi is far-reaching, with serious consequences for the health of both humans and wildlife. Although the river has long traditionally been a major source of drinking water and a recreational space, these activities are now often unsuitable due to hazardous chemicals such as E. coli and oil. As pollutants drip into the river they can make their way down the waters to local fish populations, who in turn are ingested by larger predators. This kind of long-range transportation of toxins through food webs is known as ‘biomagnification’, and is a major threat to the wider environment.
The health of the Mississippi River is ultimately in the hands of its surrounding communities, who are responsible for the management of the water quality. The Mississippi River’s stewards must take immediate action to improve the river’s water safety. This need is particularly pressing in urban areas, where the human population is more concentrated. Industrial factories, chemical plants, and sewage systems all contribute to the pollution of the Mississippi River, and it is the responsibility of those who use these facilities and systems to take proactive steps towards pollution prevention.
To aid in the struggle, various organizations and government bodies have introduced initiatives to increase public awareness of the danger. The Mississippi River Network, for example, provides education sessions to highlight the dangers of pollution, as well as providing tips and guidance on how to help protect the river. These initiatives provide much-needed support, yet there needs to be expanded and continuous public-pressure to ensure that the situation does not regress.
Overall, the Mississippi River is facing a worrying situation in terms of contamination. This calls for the urgent implementation of preventative measures, especially in urban urban areas, to ensure that the health of the world’s longest river is safeguarded for future.
Impilts to The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River’s ecosystem is also increasingly compromised by the increasing volume of sediments and chemical inputs modern humans continue to put in it. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (2013), these inputs can include fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as waste from urban areas, industrial sites, and domestic residences. These inputs degrade water quality and impact wildlife, and perturb naturally diverse local ecosystems.
The levels of sediments entering the river are particularly concerning. Highly concentrated sediments were found in the lower parts of the Mississippi due to agricultural runoff, and can block up waterways, causing a variety of problems. The USGS also found that the off-chute regions of the Mississippi hold high concentrations of pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to algal blooms, accumulation of sediments, and problems with acidic drainage.
These problems could have long term consequences on the Mississippi River, as they could considerably diminish the quality of the water and adversely impact the production of fish and other aquatic life. The USGS reports that algae blooms and sediment accumulation have been linked with the severe decline of some fish species, such as the pallid sturgeion, which is now critically endangered. In addition, reducing water quality also affects human health, as drinking water sources become contaminated with pathogens, causing serious diseases to spread more easily.
It is evident then, that the increasing rate of sediment and chemical inputs is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in the Mississippi River. To prevent environmental degradation, the relevant authorities must devise and implement effective strategies to manage the land surrounding the river to reduce the amount of pollutants entering it. There should also be a focus on improving the water quality in the main and offshoot branches, to ensure that the river’s resources are maintained.
Litter in The Mississippi River
Another major pollutant affecting the Mississippi River is litter. Litter, ranging from cans and plastic bottles to tires and furniture, is a growing problem across many of the United States’ waterways. Litter not only pollutes the water, but it is a serious threat to wildlife, which often consume or become tangled in it. The impact can be far-reaching too, as some items may break down and release toxic chemicals into the environment.
Due to their size and volume, reports from the USGS found that larger items of litter, such as household appliances and commercial containers, are more dangerous, as these can get washed up and block tributaries. This has a significant impact on the health of the Mississippi River, and can cause beach erosion, breeding grounds for harmful contaminants, and also prevent recreational activities taking place such as swimming and fishing.
Addressing litter is equally a difficult situation as reducing chemical inputs. There is, however, a positive trend in the United States, where local, municipal and state level waste management policies are being implemented and regulated. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set up a number of project initiatives in 2017 to reduce the volume of pollutants entering the river from garbage, and to promote sustainability in river cleanup operations. These project initiatives include the introduction of local recycling and waste management schemes, as well as the targeting of critical sources of pollution.
It is only through collaboration between communities, organisations and government bodies that the Mississippi River’s litter problem can be addressed effectively. Local councils should be involved in encouraging more recycling and composting initiatives in the area surrounding the river; this is beneficial both from an environmental, as well as an economical standpoint, as it has the potential to generate employment. Additionally, businesses and industries should be held liable for the toxins they are legally mandated to keep away from the river (EPA, 2017).
Water Quality of Mississippi River
The water quality of the Mississippi River is inextricably linked to its health. The level of pollution in the water directly determines the aquatic life it contains, and threatening species may be forced to migrate or eventually become extinct as a result of poor water quality. In fact, recent studies have suggested that around one-third of the river’s species have undergone some form of decline in recent years (Harrell, 2020).
Water quality is determined by a variety of factors, but two main analysers are used to assess the health of a river; the pH scale, and dissolved oxygen levels. The pH shows the acidity level of the water, with a pH of 7 representing neutrality, values above 7 being baser, and values below being more acidic. It is largely impacted by levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, usually from agricultural runoff, where too much of either can cause serious disruption to a river’s natural ecosystem.
On the other hand, dissolved oxygen is a measure of how much oxygen is present in the water. Oxygen-producing algae in rivers and streams are the main source of oxygen, and disruptions to this process, which often occurs due to chemical pollution, can reduce the ability of the river to sustain life. Reports from the USGS (2013) have suggested that oxygen depletion in the Mississippi can be attributed to poor quality sewage systems that are overloading the river.
The key to restoring the health of the Mississippi thus lies in upgrading water infrastructure, so that the water quality of the river can be improved. Better treatment techniques for wastewater need to be developed and implemented, and projects that reduce agricultural runoff should be encouraged. The EPA has taken measures to do this, but more needs to be done in order to encourage sustainable and clean living in the region; this means rethinking the way we use resources, waste, and pollution if we want to restore the glory of the Mississippi.
Pollutant Tracking in Mississippi River
In recent years, technology has advanced to the point where researchers can now track the origin of pollutants in rivers and waterways. This has changed the game for Mississippi River conservation, as it reveals the industrial, agricultural, and municipal sources of the river’s contamination.
This data is collected through a range of different methods. For instance, the USGS (2013) has employed tracer studies that mark areas impacted by pollutants, as well as computer models that allow them to estimate sources of pollutants. According to their research, industrial run-off is the biggest single source of contaminants entering the river, with agricultural runoff, septic tanks, and urban runoff making up a further 41%.
By understanding the exact source of the pollutants entering the river, conservationists, governments, and local communities can devise and implement targeted strategies to reduce contamination levels. For example, the EPA and states have drafted guidelines to limit discharges from certain sources and industries, such as paper mills and sewage, to help mitigate the influx of toxic materials into the river.
It is evident then, that pollutant tracking technologies are essential for understanding the sources of contamination into the Mississippi River. Armed with this knowledge, more policy measures can be taken and implemented to reduce the levels of toxins entering the main and offshoot rivers. Furthermore, the data collected can also be used to effectively monitor the impact of these strategies over time, and the benefits they bring to the surrounding environment.
Mississippi River Rehabilitation Programs
Apart from regulation and policy implementation, river rehabilitation is another way of restoring the health and sustainability of the Mississippi River. Programs to rehabilitate rivers and wetlands involve activities such as the re-establishment of wildlife habitats, and the introduction of wetlands and water retention systems that filter pollutants before they enter the river. In the case of the Mississippi, the main activities employed would include the installation of floating wetlands and ponds, which can reduce pollutants and retain sediments (Eco floating, 2021).
These projects form an integral part of the Mississippi River’s conservation effort. They not only reduce the impact of pollutants entering the river, but also help to retain water, and create crucial areas of shelter for local wildlife. The USGS has been a major proponent of rehabilitation works in the Mississippi, and in 2004 even funded an experiment to test the impact of restoration activities in the Red River of the North landscape (USGS, 2004).
Having data from studies like these helps provide valuable insight into the success, or lack thereof, of river-restoration activities in the Mississippi River. It provides context, and allows for the comparison of various strategies and models, so that the best ones can be chosen for future projects. As such, it is evident that monitoring the impact of rehabilitation projects is essential to effectively managing the health of the Mississippi.
In conclusion, the Mississippi River is facing a host of environmental threats ranging from chemical inputs, to littering and water quality degradation. It is clear then, that significant steps must be taken if we are to secure its long-term health. This means both taking policy steps such as providing incentives for sustainable business practices, as well as developing and implementing a range of river-rehabilitation activities. Educating the public on the importance of the Mississippi, and encouraging its protection will be critical aspects of this effort too.
