“…The composition of atmospheric dust depends primarily upon the surface sediments/crusts and geological substrates from which it is eroded and sourced. , These erosional processes produce mineral dust aerosols ranging in size from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers, with an inverse relationship between particle size and atmospheric residence time. ,, During transport through the atmosphere, these dust aerosols can, for example, scatter and absorb short- and long-wave radiation, act as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particles, and react with other atmospheric aerosols. 2 Upon deposition, mineral dust can enhance productivity through fertilization within distant receiving ecosystems. − However, dust can also contain contaminants and act as a light-absorbing impurity (LAI) when deposited on high albedo surfaces such as snowpacks, glaciers, and ice. , As eolian processes increase in frequency due to human-induced climate and land use changes, these LAI properties have become a concern in cryospheric regions of the world due to their radiative forcing impact …”