Impacts of Sand and Dust storms on Oceans: A Scientific Environmental Assessment for Policy Makers - Executive Summary

Sand and dust storms are common in deserts and semi-deserts when strong winds blow over dry soils with little or no vegetation. Dust generated by sand and dust storms is often lifted high into the atmosphere and transported over long distances, frequently over the oceans. These atmospheric events are important for ecosystem functioning and have a wide range of effects on the Earth system. Given the hazards they pose to society and the threats they present to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, sand and dust storms have become an issue of increasing concern to governments and the international community. This report examines the current state of knowledge on how sand and dust storms affect marine ecosystems. These impacts, both direct and indirect, are also relevant to human society. Although some of these impacts may be hazardous, any assessment of the associated risks should be balanced by recognition of the important role that desert dust plays in the functioning of the Earth system. Actions taken to implement the recommendations presented at the end of this report should therefore consider all aspects of the impacts of sand and dust storms on marine ecosystems.