logo

Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

Real news for working families.  An online news service

Florida News

Mississippi Flooding Worsens Gulf Environment

PENSACOLA, FL - The most severe flooding of the Mississippi River in many decades has earned it a "special mention" in American Rivers' annual list of Most Endangered Rivers recently announced, and that flooding is also expected to worsen the state of the environment in the Gulf of Mexico. The pollution threatens drinking water and quality of life from Texas to Florida.

Nancy Paraskevopolus, a marine life activist, says the flood water is contributing to the most tainted coastal ecosystem in the world, approaching the North Florida coastline.

"So, the Mississippi River was added to the American River's list due to the unprecedented nature of the flooding, which has caused this enormous Dead Zone."

The Dead Zone is caused by an overgrowth of algae that feed on the nutrients washed from farmland. The algae consume most of the oxygen in the water, which kills off the other marine life.

Paraskevopolus says that if farmers don't take more advantage of federal programs nothing will change.

"What will happen in the future is exactly what is happening right now. If we keep on the same track, our communities will continue to be devastated."

Scientists estimate that simply returning lands in the Upper Mississippi River basin to their original form, wetlands, would significantly reduce flooding in Mississippi and Louisiana.

After the Mississippi River Delta, the second-most threatened marine coastal ecosystem is where the Ganges River drains into the Bay of Bengal off the Indian subcontinent. 

Comments  (to add a comment go here)

Meeting Calendar
No need to be confused - Find links to agendas and where your participation is welcome.
 
 

Make a comment • click here •
All comments are displayed at the end of the article and are moderated.

 
 

     • Fair Use     • Privacy                              © ColumbiaCountyObserver.com