Blog post from Francesco Moncada

I’m currently in my fifth month as a PhD candidate within the Dust-DN doctoral network, working on the DC12 project at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). Time has flown by, and yet the world of atmospheric dust still feels very new to me: there’s so much to learn and explore, which makes the work both challenging and intriguing.

Although I come from a physics background—more specifically climate physics, having obtained my Master’s degree at Utrecht University—my previous research focused on a very different topic. During my Master’s thesis at IGE in Grenoble, I studied ice sheets, so transitioning into dust research has been a significant but exciting shift.

One of the main reasons I chose to explore this new field is the fascinating and complex objective of the DC12 project: improving the way mineral dust is represented in climate models. Dust particles vary in mineral composition, and these differences affect critical climate processes like solar radiation absorption, scattering and cloud formation. Better understanding and implementation of these interactions in model is essential for improving climate predictions and developing more robust climate scenarios for the future.

To tackle this challenge, I work with high-resolution satellite data from NASA’s EMIT mission, which provides detailed information about the surface mineralogy of major dust source regions. The goal is to integrate this data into the MONARCH model (Multiscale Online Nonhydrostatic AtmospheRe CHemistry), the chemical weather model developed at BSC. This will help us better capture how different mineralogies and types of dust—natural, and anthropogenic (resulting from human-altered land surfaces)—interact with the climate system.

Figure 1: Marenostrum5 infrastructure 

A key asset in this work is Marenostrum5, the High-Performance Computer (HPC) located at BSC and reported in figure 1. One of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, it spans 180 m²—roughly a third the size of a basketball court—and gives us the computing power needed to run complex simulations at high resolution.

So far, I’ve been learning how to work with the HPC environment, getting familiar with the structure of the MONARCH model, and running and validating simulations. Our current line of research focuses on investigating the contribution of anthropogenic and natural dust to climate impact.

Figure 2: DOD at 550 nm modeled by MONARCH model

In figure 2 is possible to observe a map of the annual average Dust Optical Depth (DOD) at 550 nm, as modeled by MONARCH, for both natural and anthropogenic dust sources. DOD is a dimensionless metric that indicates how much incoming solar radiation is absorbed and scattered by dust particles in the atmosphere, making it a key variable for assessing dust impacts on climate, air quality, and radiative forcing. In Figure 3, I reported the comparison between the modeled DOD at 550 nm over Northeast Africa—differentiating between natural and anthropogenic dust—and the observations available in that region, retrieved and appropriately filtered from AERONET, a global network of ground-based sun photometers that provides long-term, continuous aerosol optical measurements. . Since the focus is on dust aerosol, the AERONET dataset was filtered using the Ångström exponent, a parameter sensitive to particle size and thus effective in excluding non-dust aerosols, which typically consist of smaller particles. This validation step is essential to assess the model’s ability to realistically simulate dust processes and ensure the reliability of its outputs.

Figure 3: Validation of the DOD 550 nm modeled by MONARCH in North East Africa through comparison with AERONET observational data. 

Being part of the DUST-DN network has so far been a great opportunity to connect with experts of the dust field and to feel part of a collaborative and supportive community. I’m especially excited about the upcoming workshop and training school in Cyprus next April, where I’ll have the chance to present my first results and meet the other doctoral candidates in person.

Blog post from Eleni Kolintziki

Since March 2024, I have been a part of the Doctoral Network on Atmospheric Dust (DUST-DN) as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD fellow. Before this, I spent three years in Ireland, where I earned my Master’s in Environmental Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. My academic and professional background is diverse, covering both industry and research. After considering my career path, pursuing a PhD felt like the next step since it matched my passion for research and scientific inquiry. Originally from Greece, I transitioned easily to life in Cyprus, enjoying the familiar Mediterranean culture and lifestyle. 

My PhD project, DC16, focuses on testing Aerotape, an innovative instrument for real-time particle analysis. Aerotape uses an onboard camera to capture two types of images (every ten minutes or 6 pictures per hour) of particles collected on adhesive tape, providing data on their count, size, shape, and colour. This experimental approach gives high-resolution, real-time insights into particulate matter. 

Figure 1: Three Aerotape units running in parallel with reference instruments 

Figure 2: Aerotape’s internal layout 

Upon my arrival in Cyprus, two instruments were already running in parallel, giving me nearly five months of data to process. While challenging, this was a great way to begin my PhD. It helped me quickly learn the mechanics, components, and image-processing workflow of the instrument. Thanks to the large amount of data, we organized two three-month measurement campaigns—one in winter and one in spring—comparing Aerotape to reference instruments. Before these campaigns, we verified the instrument’s precision by analyzing the consistency between the two parallel units. 

Figure 3: Examples of images taken by Aerotape

Due to the success of the two campaigns, we decided it would be very beneficial for me to participate in the DUST2025 international conference in Bari, Italy, where I presented a poster summarizing my first findings. This was my first time attending an international conference in person, and the experience was incredibly enriching. I had the chance to attend presentations on dust-related research from scientists worldwide, who use a variety of instruments and measurement techniques. The poster session also allowed me to network with many experts in my field, share valuable insights, and receive helpful recommendations for my project. 

Figure 4: Participation in DUST2025 Conference 

Being part of a doctoral network is very exciting for me. It offers a chance to connect with peers, collaborate on research, and keep learning while participating in more conferences, summer and winter schools, and workshops.  

I am particularly eager to engage in further campaigns in different cities during my secondments. The first of these will take place at Khalifa University from November to December this year, where one of the Aerotapes will be installed on the university’s rooftop. The site features a brand-new atmospheric monitoring station equipped with a wide range of instruments, including OPCs and greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement instruments. It’s a great opportunity to test our instruments’ performance in new environmental and climatic conditions.

Blog post from Kenneth M. Tschorn

My first experiences as a Dust-DN Doctoral Candidate

I joined Dust-DN in April 2025. Before relocating to Cyprus, I worked as a research associate in a long-term air quality monitoring program in Western Norway. This transition has given me a firsthand experience of the stark contrast between one of Europe’s northernmost, colder regions and Cyprus, which has one of the warmest climates in the Mediterranean part of the EU. I was particularly drawn to Dust-DN for its strong networking opportunities—with fellow students, their supervisors, and leading experts in the field of atmospheric dust. I see this as a unique chance to expand my scientific network and gain valuable cultural experiences. My doctoral project (DC2) is embedded within Work Package 2 (WP2) of the DUST-DN, which focuses on the fundamental properties of dust. Specifically, DC2 aims to explore and validate new measurement techniques that can enhance our understanding of dust particle morphology and orientation.

This includes collecting dust particles during major outbreaks over Cyprus using devices called impactors. These are small tools with sticky surfaces that catch dust particles as they pass by, allowing scientists to examine individual particles in detail. For our work, we used specially modified Giant Particle Collectors (GPAC) mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called Skywalker. These GPACs included Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) grids, which are fine mesh structures that let us study the particles in three dimensions using an electron microscope.

One additional aspect of my project is to investigate whether dust particles in the atmosphere align in a certain direction – a phenomenon that has been reported in some studies. To test this hypothesis, we used a second Skywalker UAV equipped with two differently pointing Compact Optical Backscatter AerosoL Detectors (COBALD). One of these instruments was mounted vertically and the other horizontally. These instruments emit light in two different wavelengths, and a detector measures the amount of light being scattered back to the instruments. Mounting them at different angles helps us to look for signs of particle orientation/alignment. This unique, novel approach may shed new light on how atmospheric dust particles behave in the air and how they affect the Earth’s climate system.

Starting my PhD project right as the UAV Spring Campaign 2025 kicked off was both exciting and demanding. I had to rapidly become familiar with new instruments and techniques—such as the principles of the COBALD system and aerosol sampling—while actively participating in campaign operations. In this post, I share my first hands-on experiences and how they relate to the objectives of my doctoral project.

Campaign Objectives

The UAV Spring Campaign 2025 took place at the Cyprus Institute (CYI) from April 3rd to May 31^st, a period selected due to favorable atmospheric conditions for dust transport from North Africa to Cyprus. Throughout this period, the remote sensing group produced daily observational and model-based dust forecasts to assess whether atmospheric conditions were suitable for UAV flights from CYI’s airfield at Orounda.

In collaboration with the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) of CYI, the team successfully conducted UAV operations on eight different days, catching various different dust events. The primary goal was to evaluate the performance of newly developed instruments designed to characterize the microphysical properties of dust particles during significant dust events. These novel tools added new capabilities to CYI’s well-established instrumentations that measure dust particle size, like the POPS and UCASS instruments (more on those below).

Each day began with a crucial question: Are we going to fly today?

UAV Platforms and Scientific Instrumentation

Quadrocopter / POPS

A quadrocopter platform was equipped with the Printed Optical Particle Spectrometer (POPS), which measures aerosol particle sizes in the range of 0.115 to 3.37 µm (optical equivalent diameter). Accordingly, POPS is an instrument designed to detect rather small particles. On most flight days, the POPS was deployed first to obtain vertical profiles of dust concentration. These data helped identify optimal target altitudes for particle sampling by subsequent Skywalker flights.

Skywalker / UCASS and Impactors

The Skywalker fixed-wing UAV carried two key instruments for studying larger dust particles. Under each wing, we mounted the Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS), measuring particles ranging from 0.45 to 56.06 µm (optical equivalent diameter) using optical detection.

Alongside the UCASS, we also attached two custom-built particle impactors, so called Giant Particle Collectors (GPAC). These were also placed beneath each wing and used for collecting dust particles at target altitudes. For this campaign, the GPACs were specially modified to include TEM grids allowing for advanced, three-dimensional morphological analysis in the lab.

COBALD

A third UAV carried two Compact Optical Backscatter Aerosol Detectors (COBALD), oriented differently to investigate the potential for detecting particle alignment. One COBALD instrument was mounted vertically and the other horizontally (see picture below). Each operates at two wavelengths: blue (λ = 455 nm) and near-infrared (λ = 940 nm). Due to the sensitivity of the sensors, meaningful data could only be collected during nighttime conditions to avoid oversaturation from sunlight.

Relevance to my Doctoral Project DC2

This campaign was a perfect starting point for my doctoral project. The use of TEM grid-equipped GPACs matches with my research goal of investigating advanced dust particle morphology. Furthermore, the COBALD deployment supports the evaluation of dust particle orientation—a key hypothesis in DC2. These innovative measurement strategies may lead to valuable insights into dust microphysics and contribute to broader atmospheric science objectives.

Participating in this campaign was an invaluable experience that provided hands-on exposure to field operations, instrumentation, and scientific coordination. It also set a solid foundation for the research tasks ahead in my doctoral journey.

Planning is already underway for future campaigns. And when the time comes, I expect we’ll find ourselves once again asking that same familiar question:

Are we going to fly today?