Scientists are challenging conventional notions of how dust particles are aligned; “everything we’ve so far hypothesized about the impact of dust on the atmosphere might be misplaced.”
dust
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Trans-Atlantic Dusts May Not Enrich Amazon as Much as Thought
New research indicates that nutrient loads delivered to South American ecosystems by dust originating in Africa are far lower than suggested in previous studies.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Saharan Dust Reaching the Americas Comes from El Djouf
The Saharan dust that crosses the Atlantic and fertilizes the Amazon may be coming from the El Djouf region between Mauritania and Mali, which is farther west than previously thought.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Dust Storms Associated with Increase in Critical Care Visits
Fine particulate matter from dust storms can exacerbate respiratory diseases, and now scientists have shown that critical care hospital visits spike during and after such events.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Dust in the Wind: Human Impacts to the Colorado Front Range
A recent increase in airborne dust has been attributed to both climate and land use, with human activity playing a substantial role, especially in summertime at low elevations.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Lifting the Veil on Martian Dust Storms
A special collection in JGR Planets presents insights from a long-awaited global dust storm on Mars in 2018 that was closely scrutinized by five orbiting and two landed spacecraft.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Dangerous Bacteria Catch a Ride on Saharan Dust
Saharan dust events can spread bacterial pathogens over long distances, but we may be able to predict the human health risk from exposure.
Posted inNews
Dust in the Atmosphere May Have Fertilized the Ancient Ocean
New research investigates dust’s role in primary production during the Carboniferous and Permian periods.
Posted inNews
Road Dust: A Health Hazard Hidden in Plain Sight
Legacy heavy metals from past industrial activity combine with traffic paint; asphalt; and bits of tires, brakes, and car parts to create toxic dust on our roadways.
Posted inNews
Dusting Off the Arid Antiquity of the Sahara
New research on the geochemistry of Canary Islands paleosols shows that the Sahara has been an arid dust producer for at least 4.8 million years.