Presentation description

Ozone is a highly reactive gas that occurs naturally and as a result of human activities. Its formation involves complex chemical reactions between sunlight and ozone precursor chemicals that include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Nitric Oxides (NOx). In urban areas, excessive emissions of these precursor chemicals result in high ozone concentrations that become hazardous to humans. Additionally, rural and wildland areas can experience elevated ozone levels due to local biogenic emissions, atmospheric transport from polluted regions, and transport from large wildfires. These elevated ozone concentrations adversely affect agricultural crops and natural vegetation, resulting in negative ecological impacts. From 2015 to 2020, Salt Lake and Davis Counties experienced a median of 12-15 days where the 8-hour ozone concentration was above 70 parts per billion volume (ppbv). Ozone concentrations of 70 ppbv and above are considered ""unhealthy for all populations"", defined by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). An additional 20-30 days per year were identified with 1-hour maximum ozone concentrations surpassing 70 ppbv. Long-term exposure to elevated ozone concentrations has been linked to increased mortality rates due to cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular causes, ischemic heart disease, and respiratory causes.||This research was conducted to examine ozone production and destruction in a wildland-urban interface at two locations near the University of Utah. An ozone monitor (2B Model 205) was deployed at Todd's Meadow (UATTM) in the Red Butte Canyon preserve from mid-June to mid-July. Data collected at this site were compared to data collected at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon (MTMET). To quantify the ozone concentrations in Red Butte Canyon, time series at 15-minute intervals were analyzed at both sites during the period.