Asian and Saharan dust from a chemical/mineralogical point of view: differences and similarities from bulk and single particle measurements

Abstract

This paper combines a review on the importance of dust composition with respect to numerous atmospheric impacts with field measurements performed in African and Central Asian dust. In the review part, the most important dust components and their relevance for certain processes are outlined. Typical compositions from bulk measurements for African and Asian dust are presented. Generally the local variation in composition can be higher than the differences between Asian and African dust and their according specific sources. While similar general results are available from individual particle analyses, these investigations add important information on mixing state and homogeneity of composition. Atmospheric aging of mineral dust is observed globally, depending on transport distances from the sources and transport environment. As an illustration, comparative field measurements of African and Asian dust deposition are presented.