Amalia Trujillo, FCLC 2025

Major: Natural Science

Bio: Amalia Trujillo is a Senior Natural Science Major with a concentration in Chemistry and a minor in Business Administration. She is passionate about nature and works to utilize her education in science to care for the environment. She was recently admitted to a PhD program at UAB for Chemistry for Fall of 2025.

Title of Research: A Comparative Analysis of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter Levels in urban Pennsylvania, Suburban Pennsylvania, and the Rocky Mountain National Park

Research Partner: Isabella Pelosi

Mentor: Marie Thomas, Natural Science

Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the levels of nitrogen dioxide [NO2 ] and particulate matter [PM] found in the Rocky Mountains to that of suburban and metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania. We hoped to identify whether the millions of tourists that visit the national park throughout the summer are causing car pollutant levels to mimic that of an urban city. We used Aeroqual s500 air quality monitors to analyze the level of NO2 and PM at one of the entrances to the park, as well as two areas in Pennsylvania for 8 weeks. If the levels of pollutants are more similar to urban Pennsylvania than to suburban Pennsylvania, then we can conclude that we are not best preserving the park from environmental threats. This data could encourage parks to charge a premium for combustion engine cars so that tourists either opt to carpool, rent an EV, or simply take the shuttle bus during their trip. While our data showed higher pollutant levels in urban Pennsylvania compared to suburban Pennsylvania, our results for the Rocky Mountain National Park were inconclusive due to the high altitude winds experienced at the RMNP. The instruments are highly sensitive and when exposed to high winds they do not provide accurate readings. We are currently continuing our research by analyzing various soil samples obtained from these three areas to compare the nitrogen levels found in the soil.