Frank Eckardt receives funding from the NRF. With the added dust in the atmosphere, a greater number of particles can refract sunlight into a range of purples, pinks, oranges and yellows. Satellites showed clouds of dust from the Free State reaching the Indian Ocean and neighbouring countries. A “historic” outbreak of Saharan dust that is clogging the atmosphere from western Africa to the Caribbean and potentially posing health threats could make it as far as the U.S. Midwest. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 115,100 academics and researchers from 3,741 institutions. Associate Professor Environmental and Geographic Science, University of Cape Town. Closer to the source, the dust can also affect flora, fauna and soil, especially if the dust is salty. Saharan dust from North African basins is even known to reach the Amazon and Caribbean, where it has a fertilising impact on the rain forest but is detrimental to coral. As researchers, our primary question has been the precise origin and cause of dust in drylands, since the source areas would tell us more about the composition and impact of the dust and how to control it. Satellites have been sentinels in space, examining the earth since the 1960s to detect changing weather patterns, land use, deforestation, melting ice caps and fire patterns. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict that the dust cloud reached the eastern edge of the Caribbean over the weekend and possibly make its way to the Texas Gulf Coast this week. Small fire smoke plumes can be seen further east. Dust in the Free State atmosphere is a symptom of problems and challenges that require wider awareness, aimed at both farmers and policy makers. An expansive plume of dust from the Sahara Desert has moved from Africa to the southern United States. “There’s a lot of dust with this one,” said University of Texas meteorology lecturer Troy Kimmel. University of Cape Town provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA. A large Saharan dust cloud will make the long trek from the Atlantic to Houston next week turning the skies gray. African Dust Turns Skies Gray from the Gulf Coast to Florida Brian K. Sullivan 6/25/2020.
See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. While conducting our study with colleagues from the Agricultural Research Council, we also noted individual field conditions that were responsible for the emissions. But the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality forecasts that “the intensity and duration of the dust is not expected to be enough to raise the daily (particulate matter in the atmosphere) beyond the 'Good' range throughout the impacted regions.”, Although some people may be more sensitive to the dust than others, Kimmel says there may be a silver lining because of the timing of the cloud’s arrival: “The good news with that is we’re all wearing masks.”, “Tropical storms need a lot of moist air and relatively calm upper level winds to form,” Treadway said. Fine sediment from these basins can travel to the oceans, where it acts as a nutrient for primary marine organisms. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. The dust traveled 5,000 miles … South Africa’s major dust sources in the satellite record are largely caused by human activity, since delayed rains may result in the land remaining fallow, as confirmed by crop statistics from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Saharan dust from North African basins is even known to reach the Amazon and Caribbean, where it has a fertilising impact on the rain forest but is detrimental to coral. This mass of dust combines with warm, dry air to form the Saharan Air Layer. The sources and trajectory are typical of South Africa’s major dust events. Soil loss is regarded as detrimental in the long run, with an impact on food security. The department reported a decline in maize cover and a pronounced increase in fallow land for periods in our 11-year image record when most dust was being emitted. AUSTIN, Texas – A cloud of dust blowing through the Gulf of Mexico may not sound like an encouraging forecast, but it might be just what we need to keep tropical storms at bay and enjoy some gorgeous sunsets.
Fine particles act as nutrients, and may include carbon, retain water, and generally improve the soil quality. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
This mass of dust combines with warm, dry air to form the Saharan Air Layer. Dust clouds show up regularly in space imagery and point to source areas. The dust originating from this region reaches different parts of the world, including the Americas across the Atlantic Ocean. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. After a quick and active start to hurricane season, it looks like any significant tropical development is unlikely over the next week. The timing of rainfall can be erratic and delayed, especially during a drought, as was seen in 2015 and 2016. The finest dust particles can be inhaled and may even enter the lungs and bloodstream. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. We rely on readers like you to uphold a free press. “For us and a lot of the other southern U.S. states where this dust is supposed to end up, it’s going to impact the air quality for a couple of days,” Treadway said. It is common for dust blown from the Sahara in North Africa to reach the Lesser Antilles and Gulf Coast, where it can cause captivating sunsets. Etosha and the Makgadikgadi, for example, are large natural dust emitters in southern Africa. ... Drone footage of African dust storm across the Houston area. Saharan Dust Cloud Arrives At The U.S. Gulf Coast, Bringing Haze The phenomenon happens every year – but the 2020 version is especially large and imposing, experts say. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. A dust storm in the Free State, South Africa. Dust also allows for the transfer of microbiological material.