Gourt > Kids and Teens > School Time > Science > The Earth > The Atmosphere > Weather > Extreme Weather > Dust Storms > Saharan Dust
Saharan dust events refer to clouds of dust which originate from the Sahara desert region of Northern Africa, near Lake Chad, and are propelled westwards across the Atlantic Ocean by clockwise motion of the anticyclone part of the North Atlantic Oscillation. By the time the dust reaches the Caribbean it is practically invisible, though it can be detected by means of instruments.
The dust carries the fungus Aspergillus sydowii which falls into the Caribbean Sea and possibly infects coral reefs with Sea Fan disease (aspergillosis).
The dust also has been linked to increased incidence of pediatric asthma attacks in the Caribbean.
More on [ Saharan dust ]
Coastal and Marine Geology Program - Hypothesis about the impact of the African Dust on coral mortality.
Meta Description: [ Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral reef... ]
Goddard Space Flight Center - The story and images of the wind moving across Atlantic.
LITE Data Gallery - Observations and images of the dust by Lidar In-space Technology Experiment.
Saharan Dust 'Cools' Climate Warming Estimates - NASA's study about the wind impact on the global warming effect.
Wikipedia: Saharan Dust - Description of the wind that originates from the Sahara desert region of Northern Africa.
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