USING GIS TO LOCATE HOT SPRINGS IN UTAH OF SAMPLING INTEREST FOR THERMOPHILIC MICROORGANISMS

Thermophilic (“heat-loving”) microorganisms thrive at high temperatures and have been identified at hot springs throughout the world. They may be descendants of the earliest life on the planet and thus are important to evolution and genetic research. Since they survive under extreme environmental conditions, they are also important in ecology research, and some scientists are even looking for similar life forms on other planets. These microorganisms are useful in many practical applications as well, such as biotechnology. The objective of this project was to determine the locations of hot springs in Utah which might harbor populations of thermophilic microorganisms, and determine which of those hot springs would be practical to sample.

Data on springs in Utah were obtained from the Utah Geological Survey. Hot springs were selected and mapped with GIS. The springs were then classified by pH and by total dissolved solids. The Utah Geological Survey also provided data on Quaternary-aged volcanic vents as well as faults. These were mapped, and the proximity of the hot springs to both the vents and to faults was determined. No correlation was found between volcanic vents and springs, however the proximity of hot springs to faults reveals a possible correlation which warrants further study.

Due to the difficulties inherent in obtaining permission to access private land, only hot springs on public lands will be sampled in the preliminary data collection period. Only 8 of Utah's hot springs are located on federal or state land. The nearest freeway exit to each of those springs was located and off-highway mileages calculated. Samples will be analyzed at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.