An additional low layer transport of Sahelian and Saharan dust over the north‐eastern Tropical Atlantic

Abstract

Mineral dust concentrations have been measured from a monitoring aerosol station set up at Sal, Cape Verde Island between December 1991 and December 1994 in order to assess the transport process of African dust over the North‐eastern Tropical Atlantic. These measurements indicate a pronounced seasonal pattern, with maximum dust concentrations observed during winter. A meteorological analysis shows that the transport of dust occurs at low altitudes, in the trade winds layer, during this season. Large quantities of dust are carried out of North‐western Africa, in particular from the Sahel at these altitudes. Such process could constitute the major supply of atmospheric mineral matter to the surface sea water of the Eastern Atlantic.