Presenters: Katie Sanders
Authors: Erika Junk, Katie Sanders
Faculty Advisor: Rico Del Sesto
Institution: Dixie State University
Set in the middle of three important ecosystems, the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau; Zion National Park is an incredibly biodiverse location in Southern Utah that displays ecological qualities of all three communities. The biodiversity of Zion National Park has been well-documented, yet there is little data on the air quality inside the park. Zion National Park’s unique topography, containing mountainous sandstone, slot canyons, and mesas, disturb the air flow throughout the park. The purpose of this research is to measure, document and compare the ozone and particulate matter levels of Zion National Park and it’s surrounding areas, especially as there is little data available currently. Measurements were gathered in areas of high and low elevation, once in the morning and again in late afternoon, to measure changes. Pollution levels are important to the residents of Southern Utah and to visitors of Zion National Park, as well as to the environment of the park and it’s wildlife. With this data we can understand the movement of particulate matter throughout the day and the changes that occur through the seasons as well as differing weather patterns.