Great Salt Lake playa (IMAGE) University of Utah Caption The exposed bed of Great Salt Lake, which has shrunk to about half its historic size over the past two decades, has become a source of dust pollution impacting Utah's population centers. Credit Michael Werner, University of Utah Usage Restrictions editorial use only License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.