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

Author

Listed:
  • Ying Dai

    (Cornell University)

  • Peter Hitchcock

    (Cornell University)

  • Natalie M. Mahowald

    (Cornell University)

  • Daniela I. V. Domeisen

    (University of Lausanne
    ETH Zurich)

  • Douglas S. Hamilton

    (Cornell University
    NC State University)

  • Longlei Li

    (Cornell University)

  • Beatrice Marticorena

    (Universités Paris Est-Paris Diderot-Paris 7)

  • Maria Kanakidou

    (University of Crete
    Institute for Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas
    University of Bremen)

  • Nikolaos Mihalopoulos

    (University of Crete
    Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens)

  • Adwoa Aboagye-Okyere

    (Cornell University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Dai & Peter Hitchcock & Natalie M. Mahowald & Daniela I. V. Domeisen & Douglas S. Hamilton & Longlei Li & Beatrice Marticorena & Maria Kanakidou & Nikolaos Mihalopoulos & Adwoa Aboagye-Okyere, 2022. "Stratospheric impacts on dust transport and air pollution in West Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35403-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35403-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meltem Kutlar Joss & Marloes Eeftens & Emily Gintowt & Ron Kappeler & Nino Künzli, 2017. "Time to harmonize national ambient air quality standards," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(4), pages 453-462, May.
    2. Rajesh Kumar & Vincent-Henri Peuch & James H. Crawford & Guy Brasseur, 2018. "Five steps to improve air-quality forecasts," Nature, Nature, vol. 561(7721), pages 27-29, September.
    3. Cyril Moulin & Claude E. Lambert & François Dulac & Uri Dayan, 1997. "Control of atmospheric export of dust from North Africa by the North Atlantic Oscillation," Nature, Nature, vol. 387(6634), pages 691-694, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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