Effects of sand storms on the environment and society

Weather of Arabia - Surface dust deposits are a source of nutrients for some continental and marine ecosystems, as it is believed that desert dust fertilizes the Amazon rainforest, and it is known that dust transfers of iron and phosphorus benefit some marine organisms in parts of the oceans that suffer from a deficiency in these elements.

But dust also has many negative effects on the environment and society. Here are some of these effects:

1. Agriculture: Sand and dust storms may adversely affect agriculture, reducing crop yields by burying seedlings, causing damage to plant tissues, reducing the plant's ability to perform photosynthesis, and increasing soil erosion.

2. Some Water Sources: The indirect effects of dust deposits include filling irrigation canals, covering channels carrying water, and affecting the water quality of rivers and streams.

3. Transportation: Airborne dust leads to a decrease in visibility, which affects air and land transport, as poor visibility conditions pose a danger during aircraft landing and takeoff, and sand and dust storms lead to diverting landings and delaying departure times, and dust can also cause It causes scratches on the surfaces of aircraft, damages engines, and causes damage to cars, especially when driving against the direction of the storm.

4. Energy sector: Dust can affect the output of solar power plants, especially those that depend on direct solar radiation, as dust deposited on solar panels is a major concern for station operators because dust particles block solar radiation, and dust cleaning and maintenance of energy collectors is required Dust-free solar panels take a lot of time and effort.

Also read: What do sandstorms carry other than dust and dust?

Effects on human health

1. Effects of sand and dust particles

Dust flying in the air poses serious risks to human health, and the damage varies according to the size of the dust particles, as it is the main determinant of the potential harm to human health, and there are two types of particles, namely:

• Particles larger than 10 micrometers: They are not respirable and can therefore only damage external organs, cause skin and eye irritation, conjunctivitis and increase susceptibility to eye infections.

• Particles less than 10 micrometers in size: These are inhalable particles that enter the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract, and therefore can be associated with respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, and silicosis. Because dust can remain in the air for days, this can cause an allergy outbreak. Fine particles can penetrate the lower respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream, where they can affect all internal organs and be responsible for cardiovascular disorders.

2. Transmission of infectious diseases

Some infectious diseases can be transmitted through dust, including:

• Meningitis: It is a bacterial infection that affects the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to brain damage, and if it is not treated, it leads to death in 50% of cases. Although this disease may occur all over the world, the highest rate is found in areas called the "meningitis belt", a part of sub-Saharan Africa, where many studies have linked environmental conditions, such as low humidity and dusty conditions, to the time and place of infection. .

• Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat: Researchers believe that inhaling dust particles in hot, dry weather may damage the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, creating a favorable condition for bacterial infection. Moreover, iron oxides present in dust particles may increase the risk of infection.

• Valley fever: Dust also plays a role in the transmission of valley fever, a deadly disease that spreads in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico through dust storms, as dust acts as a vector for spores of the fungus that causes the disease.