Transcontinental Journey: Sahara Desert Dust Discovered in European Snow Resorts
Saharan dust has been found in remote European snow resorts, with a citizen science campaign collecting snow samples in the Pyrenees and European Alps. The analysis revealed that the dust volume and particle size varied depending on location and distance from the Sahara Desert. The composition of the dust also changed with distance, with particles containing iron being deposited closer to the source. Accumulation of dust in snow-covered environments can have negative impacts, such as reducing the albedo and causing melting. The study also addressed claims of radionuclides from French nuclear weapon tests being transported in the dust, finding an increase in cesium and short-lived radionuclides in the samples. However, plutonium levels were not significantly different from background levels resulting from U.S. and USSR nuclear tests. The research highlights the importance of citizen science in understanding the impact of dust events on the environment.