Air Quality — Dust

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Responsible:Niccolò Calandri

Air Quality — Dust

Overview

The Air Quality — Dust indicator shows the daily mean concentration of mineral dust in the air. Atmospheric dust comprises mineral particles lifted by wind from arid soils, deserts (particularly Sahara, Gobi, Arabia), agricultural land, and construction sites.

High dust concentrations reduce visibility, alter the atmospheric radiative balance, and deposit nutrients (iron, phosphorus) and contaminants on vegetation and water bodies. The effect on ecosystems is twofold: nutrient deposition can fertilise oligotrophic ecosystems, while dust can block plant stomata, interfere with pollinator activity, and degrade surface water quality.

Calculation Methodology

Data come from the Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS model). The variable used is dust (mineral dust concentration at ground level). For each day, the average of hourly values is calculated.

Data Sources

Code	Name	Provider	Type	Coverage	Availability
`WRD_OPNAQ_99`	Open-Meteo Air Quality API	Open-Meteo / CAMS	db	Global (Europe: 11 km)	From 2013 to present

References

Shao, Y. et al. (2011). Aeolian Research, 2(4), 181-204.
Mahowald, N. et al. (2005). Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 19(4).
Open-Meteo Air Quality API

Data Sources & References

Sources

WRD_OPNAQ_99

Methodology

Average daily concentration of mineral dust at ground level. Open-Meteo variable: dust. Daily average of hourly values. Source: Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS). Unit: μg/m³.