Aircraft and polarization lidar data from the recent CRYSTAL thunderstorm study suggest that Saharan dust is capable of causing an indirect aerosol effect on clouds that could modulate the region's climate. It was found that the emissions have properties similar to those from Asia's Mongolian Desert, which has been shown to help initiate ice cloud formation in the western United States.
Subject: Environmental Science:Global Change and Climate:Climate Change, Environmental Science:Air Quality:Dust and Particulates, Geoscience:Atmospheric Science:Climate Change, Environmental Science:Air Quality, Geoscience:Atmospheric Science:Meteorology:Air quality:Dust and Particulates Resource Type: Scientific Resources:Overview/Reference Work:AGU Highlights Theme: Teach the Earth:Teaching Topics:Weather, Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, Teach the Earth:Incorporating Societal Issues:Climate Change
