Work

Saharan Air Layer DATabase (SALDAT)

Year: 2026

Type: dataset

Abstract: This research is based off the work of Dolce and Miller (2025), though it expands the dataset to include ASO SALs and 2024 SALs. We used MERRA-2 reanalysis data to extract dust column mass flux for the North Atlantic Ocean from April 1 to October 31 from 1980 to 2024 to calculate integrated dust transport (IDT) and additional dust-based metrics. Area, length, and strength of SAL events determine their severity. By finding the 85th percentile IDT, we can decipher between SAL events. Objects surpassing given geometric and intensity-based criteria were assimilated into a database of SAL events, referred to as the Saharan Air Layer Database (SALDAT), which can be used for air quality and further dust-based analysis.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22259297

Authors: Dolce, Hank, Miller, Paul

Institution: Louisiana State University

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric aerosols and clouds

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7206149136

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10