Saharan Dust: Positive and Negative Effects to Texas

Making its 5,000-mile long journey all the way from the Saharan desert in Africa, a plume of Saharan dust has moved into Central Texas.

The weather phenomenon, which happens every year in late spring and through the summer of the year, is when plumes of dust from the Saharan Desert travel across the Atlantic, stretching from the Caribbean up to the Gulf of Mexico.

According to KHOU11, experts stated that the plumes could dump up to 60 million tons of dust into the atmosphere. The weather phenomenon is also called the Saharan Air Layer, or more formally known as the Aerosol Optical Thickness.

Satellite images showed that the thick dust layer covered a layer of the atmosphere, and this year it's thick enough to be tracked. Technology is better these days compared to the past because of the available advanced satellites that can tell how much power is lost when sunlight passes through the atmosphere.

However, from more intensely colored sunsets to altering the air quality, there were positive and negative effects brought by the Saharan Dust.

The Positive Effects of the Saharan Dust

There were many positive effects in the presence of the Saharan dust. Among its positive effects include the inhibition of hurricane activity in the Atlantic ocean. Dust is associated with dry air and since hurricanes need moist air to develop and thrive, hurricane activity lessened.

The weather phenomenon also affects the environment positively. The Amazon rainforest is usually stripped of phosphorus and nutrients after heavy rain and flooding and the Saharan dust refuels the rainforest's vegetation and soil. The Saharan dust was filled with nutrient-rich minerals that have played a huge role in the fertilization process of the Amazon Rainforest for thousands of years.

Aside from its effects on land, the Saharan dust can also fertilize Plankton and cause blooms across the Atlantic ocean and into the Gulf of Mexico. The benefits taken by planktons meant food for ocean creatures.

The Negative Effects of the Saharan Dust

High concentrations of the dust locally, which is common during the time of the year, lowers the region's air quality due to the dust particles getting suspended into the air that people breathe.

Based on the satellite images, the state of Texas was under a "Moderate" index. A moderate index means that a small number of unusually sensitive people may have a few health concerns. The elderly and the very young individuals, along with people with asthma and others respiratory issues were considered at highest risk. Experts suggested that these people should limit their time outdoors during the weather phenomenon.

One of the most important things to remember during the phenomenon was that the Saharan dust is an irritant and not an allergy. This means that allergy medication would not work as discomfort prevention. The Saharan Dust does not cause sneezing or runny noses but it can cause itchy eyes and a sore throat. The best prevention to avoid any discomfort is to limit your time outdoors or wear a facemask and eye protection gear.

Take Note

Highest concentration of the Saharan dust looks to move in by Monday evening through the day on Tuesday. Air quality and visibility would be improving on Wednesday night into Thursday as much of the Saharan dust moves and mixes out, KXAN reported.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by Jess Smith

WATCH: LIVE RADAR: Tracking Saharan dust over Central Texas | KVUE