APRL Conducts Saharan Dust Sampling at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
In late July, the APRL research team participated in an exciting field campaign to capture airborne particles from a Saharan dust event traveling from Africa to the southeastern United States. This phenomenon, which occurs seasonally, transports vast quantities of mineral-rich dust across the Atlantic, influencing air quality, climate, and even ocean biogeochemistry.
Our researchers deployed cutting-edge aerosol sampling systems at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) monitoring station, strategically located on the waterfront to intercept incoming dust plumes. Using high-efficiency filter samplers and advanced bioaerosol collection devices, we collected airborne particulate matter for further analysis, focusing on both mineral composition and biological content. The samples will be compared with dust previously collected in Barbados, providing a unique opportunity to understand the variation in particle size distribution, composition, and biological load along the dust’s transatlantic journey.
This collaborative effort involved faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students from multiple departments, underscoring APRL’s commitment to multidisciplinary atmospheric research. Our work not only contributes to the scientific understanding of long-range dust transport but also supports the development of improved sampling and analytical techniques that can be applied to future atmospheric monitoring efforts.
