Heavily polluted Tijuana River drives regional air quality crisis [review summary]
Le fleuve Tijuana, fortement pollué, provoque une crise régionale de la qualité de l'air
Rico, Benjamin ; Barsanti, Kelley C. ; Porter, William C. ; Cysneiros de Carvalho, Karolina ; Stigler-Granados, Paula ; Prather, Kimberly A.
Industrial chemicals and untreated sewage have polluted the Tijuana River for decades, recently causing >1300 consecutive days of California beach closures. In summer 2024, wastewater flows surged to millions of gallons per day despite no rain, enhancing water-to-air transfer of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other toxic gases at a turbulent hotspot. High wastewater flows and low winds led to nighttime H2S peaks, reaching 4500 parts per billion (ppb)?exceeding typical urban levels of <1 ppb. H2S levels and community malodor reports were strongly correlated (correlation coefficient r = 0.92), validating long-dismissed community voices and highlighting an environmental injustice. This study demonstrates that poor water quality can substantially affect air quality?although rarely included in air quality models and health assessments?with far-reaching implications as polluted waterways increase globally.</p>
Accès à la notice sur le site du portail documentaire de Météo-France