The effects of aerosols on climate and weather are among the large uncertainties of current atmospheric research. Mineral dust is an important natural source of aerosol with significant implications on radiation, cloud microphysics, atmospheric chemistry and the carbon cycle via the fertilization of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In addition deposition of dust in sediments and ice cores are important climate indicators. This session is open to contributions dealing with (1) measurements of all aspects of the dust cycle (emission, transport, deposition, size distribution, particle characteristics) with in situ and remote sensing techniques, (2) numerical simulations of dust on global and regional scales, (3) meteorological conditions for dust storms and dust transport, (4) interactions of dust with clouds and radiation, (5) influence of dust on atmospheric chemistry, (6) fertilization of ecosystems through dust depostion, (7) any study using dust as a climate indicator including investigations of Loess, ice cores, lake and ocean sediments and dunes.