Articles | Volume 19, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1201-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1201-2026
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
18 Feb 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 18 Feb 2026

Enhancing dust aerosols monitoring capabilities across North Africa and the Middle East using the A-Train satellite constellation

Anna Moustaka, Nikolaos Siomos, Stelios Kazadzis, Emmanouil Proestakis, Kalliopi Artemis Voudouri, Anton Lopatin, Oleg Dubovik, Kleareti Tourpali, Christos Zerefos, Vassilis Amiridis, and Antonis Gkikas

Data sets

Enhancing dust aerosols monitoring capabilities across North Africa and the Middle East using the A-Train satellite constellation Anna Moustaka et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18016524

ModIs Dust AeroSol (MIDAS): A global fine resolution dust optical depth dataset Antonis Gkikas et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4244106

Download
Editorial statement
This paper stands out by proving that the synergistic use of CALIOP and passive imagers leads to a marked improvement in global dust load retrieval. These more accurate global maps are essential for the next generation of climate models, specifically for refining estimates of dust radiative forcing
Short summary
North Africa and the Middle East are home to the world’s most active dust sources, but accurately monitoring airborne dust remains challenging. We combine active and passive satellite aerosol products to dynamically estimate dust lidar ratios over a 12-year period. The results reveal pronounced and physically meaningful regional variability, improving aerosol characterization and supporting climate and air-quality applications.
Share