Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-17
A PROBLEM FOR SCIENTISTS.
Green Water in the Gulf Of Mexico and
Where 1t Comes From?
(New Orleans Picayun'


There has been considerable talk re-
Gently among the maritime men concern
ing an alleged shoal in the Gulf OF Mexl-
co. some distance off the mouth OF inc
Mississippi. There are, indeed. two sepa-
rate shoals. according to the reports.
one of these Is to the effect that
match of green water has been seen II
the blue water of the gulf about ten
miles southeastward of the mouth OK the
Mississippi river. This green water
showed depth of fathoms, 81 lec,,
while the water around 1t Is 100 to loo
fathoms. or 600 to 500 feet, deep. The
other report is that at point IN =
south latitude and Ss.2S west longitude
from Greenwich, some l25 miles 10 the
southeastward of the mouth OF the r1ver
there Is another patch of green water; Out
there is no shoal, for the soundings snow
$50 fathoms. Green water at sea is conh-
monty associated with shadows, because
il is usually seen near the mouths oil
rivers. where the fresh water comes INTO
the blue, or where the sea water Is yell
lowed by the mud of the shore. Green
water is generally fresh, or largely mixed
with river water although not necessarily
so. as there are seas which are specially
green from immense numbers OF micro
scoplc algae which infest the water. But
in the present case, in all probability,
these green spots are fresh water boil
ing up from the bottom of the sea. They
are doubtless tho issues of subterranean
rivers, which underdrain the Rocky
mountains and the western plains. III
has often been remarked that the MIS-
souri, river, which is the priDclpai draln
of the vastest OF all North American
basins, is but a small stream In COM
parison with the country which supplies
il. and the conclusion seems irresistible
that there are subterranean channels by
which its waters are carried or.
The underground rivers of Dakota, from
which the extensive artesian water supply
Of that region is obtained, are believed to
be directly connected with the upper Mis-
souri, river, where it passes through the
canyons OF the mountains. 1t IS known
that there are enormous subterranean
rivers flowing under Texas, for they have
been tapped by artesan wells at many
places. and notably in Waco. There are
in the heart of the continent several
basins of great extent which receive a
large drainage from the surrounding
country but have no surface issues
There is good reason to believe that enor-
nous volumes Of water find their way
into every sea by submarine debouch-
ments, and the conformation OF the con-
tinent makes the Gulf of Mexico most
likely recipient for such discharges. II
so, the fresh water received through such
submarine vents, being lighter than the
salt water, would rise to the surface and
make itself manifest not only by its
green color but by the commotion such
an influx would produce. More than two
decades ago. n mariner, who was well
acquainted with the navigation Of the
Gulf Of Mexico. assured the writer that
he had more than once secured fresh
water far out at sea, and this would
go to confirm the views here presented.
In all likelihood the patches Of green
water lately noticed by navigators In
the Gulf are the influx of fresh water
through these submarine mouths. They
do not mean that the sea Is shoaling, or
that IL IL rendered more difficult OF navi-
CATION but that simply large part OF
| its water supply comes from submarine
| sources. This assumption Is not only rea-
| sonable, but Is In accord with a large
number of ascertained facts. There may
have been some change in the debouch-
ment OF these submarine rivers In connec-
| ton with a recent series or earthquake
| shocks in Mexico. but that would he In
harmony with the views presented above.