THE DUST^2 CLUSTER

Studying where mineral dust comes from, where it goes, how it gets there.

The emission, transport, and deposition of mineral dust plays a key role in functioning of the critical zone. This is especially true in mountain environments where dust deposition has been shown to alter the pH and chemistry of surface water, contribute to soil formation, deliver important plant available nutrients, and decrease the albedo of snow, causing earlier snowpack melt.


PROJECT: DUST SOURCE

Equipment: PISWERL

PROJECT: DUST IN THE AIR

Equipment: penetrometer

PROJECT: DUST DEPOSITION

Equipment: passive dust collector

PROJECT: DUST ON SNOW

Equipment: hyperspectral scanner

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About the Dust^2 Cluster

Dust^2 is one of nine Clusters in the Critical Zone Collaborative Network. A 5-year project to develop collaborations, improve access to environmental science data, and advance the awareness of the Critical Zone.