Tijuana River Estuary

Cross-border flow of untreated sewage and pollution through the Tijuana River Estuary (TRE) have been a public health hazard and source of contention between the United States and Mexico for decades. Pollution problems have been exacerbated by rapid population growth, straining Tijuana’s aging and undersized sewage infrastructure resulting in frequent untreated sewage spills into the Estuary, particularly during wet weather. The focus of our research in the Tijuana River Estuary is to investigate the effects of both pathogens and chemical pollutants on human and ecosystem health, providing stakeholders with the knowledge to prioritize, assess and manage these risks. Boz has assembled a highly experienced and qualified team which includes SDSU Graduate School of Public Health, Wood Lab and Statera, Inc.

The project utilizes water and sediment quality assessment, microbiology, environmental toxicology, analytical chemistry, and DNA sequencing.  Our goal is to assist in ongoing efforts to develop both real-time and long-term broad testing/monitoring programs resulting in effective mitigation strategies to minimize the human and ecological risk associated with the Tijuana River Estuary.

*For more information about this project contact goran@bozinstitute.org