Coming from Africa: Desert dust will be effective for a week

Turkey will be affected by desert dust coming from Africa for a week. Today, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, Sunday and Monday the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Aegean, Marmara, Tuesday the Black Sea, predominantly Marmara, Wednesday the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Aegean, and Marmara regions will be affected by desert dust.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, Faculty Member of the Department of Meteorological Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) stated that desert dust is transported thousands of kilometers away by winds due to atmospheric systems.

Stating that there is a large amount of dust in desert regions, Toros explained that the movement of this dust to different continents is a normal natural event.

Toros noted that the Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert, was an important mineral dust source in the world atmosphere, saying, “Dust rich in minerals such as iron and phosphorus serves as a nutrient source for phytoplankton in the seas, contributing to the growth of plants on land and increasing soil fertility.”

Toros stated that Turkey was also affected by desert dust coming from Africa and said: “The effect of desert dust in Turkey will continue throughout the next week according to atmospheric numerical model results. The effect of desert dust varies from day to day in different regions of Turkey. For example, today, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia will be affected, on Sunday and Monday, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Aegean, Marmara, on Tuesday, predominantly the Black Sea, Marmara, and on Wednesday, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Aegean, and Marmara regions will be affected by desert dust. The effect of desert dust will decrease on Thursday. From Friday onwards, it will decrease and leave our country.”

Toros stated that desert dust would be visible on vehicles along with the drizzling air in the evenings these days.

AIR QUALITY MAY DETERIORATE AS PARTICULATE MATTER INCREASES

Prof. Dr. Toros noted that due to the effect of desert dust, the atmosphere was seen reddish these days. Toros pointed out that the colors seen in the sky come from the sunlight scattered by molecules in the atmosphere, saying, “Depending on the angle of incidence of sunlight and the amount of dust, especially at sunrise and sunset, the sky can become more reddish, milky, and hazy, i.e., more colorful.”

Toros stated that desert dust carrying valuable minerals acts as natural fertilizer in Turkey.

THESE DAYS IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO WALK INSTEAD OF RUNNING

Toros stated that despite the benefits of desert dust, studies have shown that when it concentrates at ground level, it can cause breathing problems in some individuals with health issues, saying, “Because as particulate matter increases in the air, air quality may deteriorate. Particles can enter the lungs and bloodstream through respiration and can adversely affect those with asthma and upper respiratory tract problems.”