The results showed that significant quantities of dust reach the heart of the Amazon Basin and are deposited there. "African dust provides an important source of nutrients to enhance Amazonian soil fertility," said Joseph Prospero, professor emeritus at the UM Rosenstiel School and lead author of the study. African dust contains phosphorus and other important plant nutrients that help offset soil losses and increase Amazonian soil fertility. This study, the first to quantify African dust transport to South America, showed that significant amounts of dust is deposited to the Amazon. The scientists also found that quantities of dust transported to South America are inversely linked to rainfall in North Africa and concluded that climate change will affect dust transport to South America.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 16, 2020 23:48 UTC