The University of Évora, through CREATE, is the only Portuguese partner involved in the innovative Doctoral Network on Atmospheric Dust (Dust-DN) project, which aims to train the next generation of researchers specializing in the study of atmospheric mineral dust. This natural phenomenon, one of the most visible and detectable aspects of transboundary transport of atmospheric constituents, has a significant impact on visibility, solar radiation, and global climate.
Despite its visible presence, the fundamental properties of atmospheric dust remain poorly understood, limiting scientists’ ability to accurately model its effects on the atmosphere and climate. Through Dust-DN, an international team of scientists aims to bridge this knowledge gap by creating the first European doctoral network dedicated to the study of atmospheric mineral dust. This initiative combines expertise in the field with multidisciplinary approaches.
The project, funded by the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks program with €3.5 million, received the highest rating in a highly competitive evaluation. It represents a strategic, international, and intersectoral alliance that brings together renowned partners to drive innovation in understanding the properties of atmospheric dust and predicting its socioeconomic impacts.
The first doctoral network on a European scale (to our knowledge), bringing together expertise on mineral dust in the atmosphere, combining multidisciplinary aspects.
The Dust-DN network will train a group of young scientists, offering them the opportunity to work within a network of academic and non-academic partners to address key research gaps. The main research objectives include:
- Advancing the understanding of the fundamental properties and microphysical processes of dust;
- Identifying the influence of source regions on the properties of these atmospheric aerosols;
- Assessing the socioeconomic impacts of dust on health, aviation, and energy production;
- Investigating this type of aerosol within the context of the global climate system.
By focusing on these areas, Dust-DN aims not only to deepen scientific knowledge but also to deliver societal benefits through more accurate predictions and mitigation of the adverse effects of atmospheric dust on various sectors, from public health to aviation and energy production.
