Staying safe at the beach involves more than just sunscreen and lifeguards. Beaches and oceans are prone to unhealthy levels of bacteria which can cause sickness in people. Pathogens make their way into the water and onto the sand from many sources, including but not limited to, animal and human waste, agricultural and sewer runoff. Knowing when and how to avoid harmful bacteria is an effective way to prevent getting sick when visiting the beach. On this episode of MicrobeWorld Video,...

The estuary stands as the last barrier between the Pacific Ocean and pollution. Its mix of plants and silt acts as a filter that purifies inland rain and flood waters before they reach the ocean. The beaches of Imperial Beach are closed about 180 days every year. Without the estuary, they would be closed year round.

Building upon a legacy of coastal science at Scripps, high-tech tools are opening new avenues for researchers to track sand movements and further explain beach systems.