On the Middle East's severe dust storms in spring 2022: Triggers and impacts

Francis, Diana; Fonseca, Ricardo; Nelli, Narendra; Bozkurt, Deniz; Cuesta, Juan; Bosc, Emmanuel

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119539

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…In the Arabian Peninsula, dust emission is mostly associated with the Shamal winds, which arise from the pressure gradient between the subtropical high over northern Saudi Arabia and the eastern Mediterranean and the monsoon trough 55 , 121 – 123 . Dry cyclones 43 , 124 and cut-off lows 58 are also important dust lifting mechanisms here. In winter, the Siberian anticyclone over Asia, and the subtropical high over the northeastern Atlantic extending into northern Africa, with central pressures in excess of 1020 hPa, exert the largest control, with the African thermal low shifting equatorwards 115 (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…For example, a change in the position and/or strength of the thermal (heat) lows and subtropical highs over the Middle East and North Africa will impact the atmospheric circulation and wind patterns locally 54 , 55 . This can in turn impact the transport of moisture 56 and the dust/aerosol emissions and transport 57 , 58 and hence the atmospheric radiation fields 59 . Such circulation changes in a warming climate have not been comprehensively discussed, and will be explored here for a CMIP6 MME for the extended MENA region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Francis,

Fonseca

2024

Sci Rep

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Observational and reanalysis datasets reveal a northward shift of the convective regions over northern Africa in summer and an eastward shift in winter in the last four decades, with the changes in the location and intensity of the thermal lows and subtropical highs also modulating the dust loading and cloud cover over the Middle East and North Africa region. A multi-model ensemble from ten models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—sixth phase gives skillful simulations when compared to in-situ measurements and generally captures the trends in the ERA-5 data over the historical period. For the most extreme climate change scenario and towards the end of the twenty-first century, the subtropical highs are projected to migrate poleward by 1.5°, consistent with the projected expansion of the Hadley Cells, with a weakening of the tropical easterly jet in the summer by up to a third and a strengthening of the subtropical jet in winter typically by 10% except over the eastern Mediterranean where the storm track is projected to shift polewards. The length of the seasons is projected to remain about the same, suggesting the warming is likely to be felt uniformly throughout the year.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Francis,

Fonseca

2024

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…Compared to the radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere, the shortwave and net radiative forcing at the surface shows a significant negative effect because of the scattering and absorption effects of dust aerosols as well as factors such as surface albedo, which result in a reduction in solar radiation reaching the surface, and negative radiative forcing at the surface [43,44]. The spatial patterns of surface radiative forcing correspond well to the dust aerosols concentration, and the surface radiative forcing is stronger in areas with a higher concentration of dust aerosols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Spring Dust Aerosols on Direct Radiative Forcing in China from 2000 to 2020

Wang,

Qi,

Ren

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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In order to understand the mechanism of dust aerosol influence on regional climate change, it is crucial to quantify the radiative forcing effect of dust aerosols. However, studies on the direct radiative forcing of dust aerosols over long time series in China are still lacking. The direct radiative forcing effect of dust aerosols in China over the past 20 years was simulated and evaluated based on the WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled to Chemistry) model in conjunction with remote sensing satellites and ground-based observations. The results showed that dust aerosols exhibited an obvious inter-annual positive radiative forcing effect (about 0.38 W m−2) on net radiation at the top of the atmosphere, mainly in northwest China and the North China Plain, while at the atmosphere dust aerosols presented negative radiative forcing effects on shortwave radiation and positive effects on longwave radiation, with a value of 1.54 W m−2 of net radiative forcing, showing a warming effect. Dust aerosols have a net radiative forcing value of −1.16 W m−2 at the surface, indicating a cooling effect, with a positive forcing effect on longwave radiation and a negative forcing effect on shortwave radiation, both of which coincide with the geographical distribution of dust aerosol concentrations. In terms of inter-monthly variations, at both the atmosphere and top of the atmosphere, the dust aerosols net radiative forcing values showed an increasing trend, with March (−0.20 W m−2 and 0.68 W m−2) < April (0.48 W m−2 and 1.44 W m−2) < May (0.94 W m−2 and 2.42 W m−2). Meanwhile, at the surface, the dust aerosols net radiative forcing values displayed a decreasing trend, with March (−0.88 W m−2) > April (−0.96 W m−2) > May (−1.48 W m−2).

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“…The effect of dust on the radiative budget has lately been discussed by several researchers, including (Francis et al, 2023;Grogan et al, 2022;Saidou Chaibou et al, 2020) since this knowledge can help to lower associated uncertainty in climate models. Desert aerosols have an impact on the energy balance of the entire planet.…”

Section: Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Saharan dust plume: Current knowledge on the impact on health, human activities, and the ecosystem, with comments on research gaps

Olarewaju

Fajinmi

Davies

et al. 2023

Preprint

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A massive amount of dust estimated at a million tons is released from the Sahara Desert each year into the atmosphere and travels over the North Atlantic Ocean, commonly referred to as the Saharan dust plume (SDP). With its ability to travel over very long distances across the sea, the SDP is of enormous global importance, affecting climatic processes, and playing a significant role in nutrient cycles, sedimentary cycles, and soil development. On the other hand, from an environmental health perspective, the SDP degrades air quality, posing serious health threats to humans, especially to people with lung conditions. Recent literature documents health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even death in extreme cases. Despite this knowledge, large uncertainties exist in our ability to predict future trends in Saharan dust emissions and model-projected atmospheric circulation patterns. Employing a comprehensive search of the recent literature, this study reviews present knowledge of the sources, composition and propagation dynamics of the SDP and the impact of its contained atmospheric particulates on health, ecosystems, and human activities to be able to formulate credible mitigation measures and unveil areas where further research is needed for improving on these formulations. A comprehensive list of the more recent references (mainly post-dating 2010) is assembled to aid the search process of those wanting to contribute to filling these important knowledge gaps.

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On the Middle East's severe dust storms in spring 2022: Triggers and impacts

Cited by 25 publications

References 100 publications

Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Effects of Spring Dust Aerosols on Direct Radiative Forcing in China from 2000 to 2020

The Saharan dust plume: Current knowledge on the impact on health, human activities, and the ecosystem, with comments on research gaps

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