<
https://web.archive.org/web/20230929124516/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/29/climate/new-orleans-saltwater-map.html>
"Saltwater is swiftly pushing its way up the Mississippi River and is expected
to contaminate most of the New Orleans public drinking supply on Oct. 28.
President Biden declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, releasing federal
funds to Louisiana.
Officials are concerned about saltwater corroding lead pipes, which could leach
heavy metals into the drinking water supply and damage the water system
infrastructure. Consuming salty water has also been linked to serious health
concerns.
The Mississippi’s current is typically strong enough to prevent seawater from
the Gulf of Mexico from moving upriver. But it’s a challenge that gets harder
each year as global warming causes sea level in the Gulf to rise while coastal
subsidence causes the riverbed to sink. The equilibrium broke down as the
Midwest endured another exceptionally hot and dry year. Freshwater river levels
fell, allowing the seawater to march upriver."
Via Diane A.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
