The amount of atmospheric dust suspended in the atmosphere and subsequently
deposited on land and in the oceans is largely controlled by processes rel
ated to climate; however, the dust's presence in the atmosphere also can af
fect climate and, as a result, feedbacks between dust and climate are possi
ble. By scattering and absorbing incoming solar and outgoing infrared radia
tion, dust particles can alter the Earth's radiative balance. The net effec
t of the Earth's dust veil can be one of heating or cooling depending on a
number of variables. especially the concentration, composition and physical
properties of the dust; the albedo of the surface underlying the suspended
dust; and the vertical distribution of dust in the atmosphere. Indirect fe
edbacks between dust and climate also are possible as a result of the dust'
s chemical reactivity and involvement in the biogeochemical cycles of other
substances with links to climate. Studies of modem dust fluxes and their c
onnections to climate are important, not only for developing methods 'for p
redicting the impacts of future climate change scenarios, but also for stre
ngthening the underpinnings of paleoclimate reconstructions. (C) 2001 Elsev
ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.