The DUST^2 Project: A source-to-sink investigation of the modern dust system in southwestern North America

The DUST^2 project is a new Critical Zone Thematic Cluster funded by the US National Science Foundation.  DUST^2, an abbreviation for Dust across a Desert-Urban-Summit Transect, will study the modern dust system in southwestern North America, from source to sink using a combination of methods.  Previous work has demonstrated that arid lands in the southwestern US are significant sources of mineral dust.  The amount of dust emitted increased notably following European settlement, and climate models predict future increases in dust emission in response to climate warming.  This dust is transported to the north and east by the wind, particularly during the springtime and coincident with the passage of strong frontal systems.  The properties of this natural dust are altered as it mixes with anthropogenic aerosols sourced from industry and other activities along the densely populated Wasatch Front in northern Utah.  Eventually, this dust is delivered to mountain ranges at the eastern border of the Basin and Range as well as in the Rocky Mountains.  There, dust impacts the albedo of snowpack, triggering changes in snowmelt timing and magnitude.  Dust also influences the developmental trajectories of mountain soils and alters the nutrient status of mountain ecosystems.  The six primary investigators of the DUST^2 project, along with an array of additional staff and students, will study this dust system with field and lab-based methods focused on dust emitting landscapes, dust transport modeling, dust collection in urban and mountain settings, snow monitoring and snowmelt modeling, and investigation of dust-influenced soils coupled with analysis and modeling of the cycling of dust-derived nutrients.  A major goal of this project is to incorporate researchers beyond those responsible for establishing the overall project framework.  Anyone interested in learning about ways to collaborate or become involved with the DUST^2 effort should contact a member of the project leadership team listed as authors on this abstract.