Stratospheric impacts on dust transport and air pollution in West Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_E0AADA1640DD
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Stratospheric impacts on dust transport and air pollution in West Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean
Journal
Nature Communications
Author(s)
Dai Ying, Hitchcock Peter, Mahowald Natalie M., Domeisen Daniela I. V., Hamilton Douglas S., Li Longlei, Marticorena Beatrice, Kanakidou Maria, Mihalopoulos Nikolaos, Aboagye-Okyere Adwoa
ISSN
2041-1723
Publication state
Published
Issued date
14/12/2022
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
13
Number
1
Pages
7744
Language
english
Abstract
Saharan dust intrusions strongly impact Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal regions. Today, most operational dust forecasts extend only 2–5 days. Here we show that on timescales of weeks to months, North African dust emission and transport are impacted by sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs), which establish a negative North Atlantic Oscillation-like surface signal. Chemical transport models show a large-scale dipolar dust response to SSWs, with the burden in the Eastern Mediterranean enhanced up to 30% and a corresponding reduction in West Africa. Observations of inhalable particulate (PM10) concentrations and aerosol optical depth confirm this dipole. On average, a single SSW causes 680–2460 additional premature deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean and prevents 1180–2040 premature deaths in West Africa from exposure to dust-source fine particulate (PM2.5). Currently, SSWs are predictable 1–2 weeks in advance. Altogether, the stratosphere represents an important source of subseasonal predictability for air quality over West Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Keywords
Atmospheric dynamics, Environmental impact
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation / PP00P2_170523
Swiss National Science Foundation / PP00P2_198896
Create date
19/01/2023 18:42
Last modification date
10/07/2024 7:05
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