Alaskan dust storms appear to play a significant role in atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr
Alaskan dust storms appear to play a significant role in atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr
Alaskan dust storms appear to play a significant role in atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr
Alaskan dust storms appear to play a significant role in atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr

Dust storms could be having a bigger effect on climate change than we thought


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

Dust storms in the Gulf of Alaska might play a pivotal role in influencing global climate patterns, a study has revealed.

These Alaskan dust particles, especially from the Copper River Valley, have been found to be more efficient at forming ice in the atmosphere compared with those from the Sahara, shedding new light on the complexities of our climate system.

Giant dust storms originating in the Gulf of Alaska can persist for days, releasing tonnes of silt into the atmosphere.

Their scale is such that they have been spotted from space, with images from the Landsat satellite in 2020 capturing dust being carried from the valley to Alaska’s southern coastline.

While the exact implications of these dust particles on global climate are a mystery, research by the University of Leeds and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science suggests a more profound effect than previously believed.

Historically, climate research predominantly concentrated on dust contributions from the Sahara and regions in Africa and Asia.

Prof Benjamin Murray, lead researcher, told The National: "Dust from places like the Sahara has long been known to be important for the planet’s climate. It reflects sunlight back into space so affects climate directly."

These mid to low-latitude storms introduce desert-sourced dust particles into the atmosphere.

However, researchers at Leeds chose a different path, examining the dust from the Copper River Valley on Alaska's south coast, which stretches more than 443km.

Prof Murray said: "One major difference is that Copper River Valley dust has some biological material mixed up in it which makes it much better at nucleating ice.

"The more ice-nucleating particles, the more ice in clouds ... and consequently stratoform clouds out over the oceans tend to reflect less sunlight to space with more absorbed at the surface."

This river is believed to transport about 70 million tonnes of glacial sediment annually.

Dust from the Copper Valley River as seen from space. Photo: Nasa / Landsat
Dust from the Copper Valley River as seen from space. Photo: Nasa / Landsat

During warmer months, when water levels are low, winds pick up this silt, dispersing it extensively across North America, sometimes reaching altitudes conducive for ice-cloud formation.

Distinct from Saharan dust, the Copper River Valley particles have a richer biological composition due to the area's abundant vegetation and wildlife.

Dust's role in atmospheric ice formation is pivotal. Without dust, cloud water can remain liquid even in freezing temperatures.

Prof Benjamin Murray, an atmospheric scientist at Leeds, said: “Only a tiny fraction of atmospheric dust particles have the ability to initiate ice formation.

“We are only beginning to understand their origins and global spread. A cloud's ability to reflect sunlight is determined by its ice content, thus it's imperative to understand the diverse sources of these ice-nucleating agents globally.”

Alaskan dust storms are considered key players in global climate dynamics, challenging established beliefs on atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr
Alaskan dust storms are considered key players in global climate dynamics, challenging established beliefs on atmospheric ice formation. Photo: Sarah Barr

Existing climate models largely ignore these high-latitude dust sources, a deficiency highlighted by Prof Murray.

Sarah Barr and Bethany Wyld, doctoral researchers at Leeds, collected samples during these dust storms.

Subsequent laboratory analysis revealed that the particles from Alaska excel in forming ice, compared with their Saharan counterparts.

This difference arises from the Alaskan dust's microscopic biogenic substance fragments, remnants of living organisms.

Meanwhile, Saharan dust comprises mostly potassium feldspar, a significant ice nucleating agent in such regions.

Emphasising the study's significance, Ms Barr said: “While the Sahara's importance in supplying ice-nucleating particles is acknowledged, our research underscores river deltas like the Copper River Valley's equally vital role. Comprehensive understanding of these dust emissions is essential for refining our climate models.”

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PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Squads

India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur

West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph

'C'mon C'mon'

Director:Mike Mills

Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman

Rating: 4/5

SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat

Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press 

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD5
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

 

 

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

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TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
%3Cp%3E1.%20Bhiwadi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ghaziabad%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Hotan%2C%20China%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Delhi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Jaunpur%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Faisalabad%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20Noida%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Bahawalpur%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Peshawar%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Bagpat%2C%20India%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20IQAir%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Overall head-to-head

Federer 6-1 Cilic

Head-to-head at Wimbledon

Federer 1-0 Cilic

Grand Slams titles

Federer 18-1 Cilic

Best Wimbledon performance

Federer: Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Cilic: Final (2017*)

The%20Hunger%20Games%3A%20The%20Ballad%20of%20Songbirds%20%26%20Snakes
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Francis%20Lawrence%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ERachel%20Zegler%2C%20Peter%20Dinklage%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Tom%20Blyth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 55')

Man of the Match Allan (Everton)

Pieces of Her

Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick   

Director: Minkie Spiro

Rating:2/5

Updated: August 17, 2023, 10:26 AM