Remember the Mars-like Saharan dust
we shared last week? Well, it could just help nourish the Earth.
The dust caught a ride on some strong winds and traveled across the Mediterranean, turning the air orange and coating surfaces across Europe. In Spain, the combination of dust-filled air and heavy rains led to what residents described as “raining mud”.
That dust, while a nuisance to air quality, is actually rich in minerals and acts as a fertilizer, according to reporting from
The Guardian. In fact, the dust can help to fight climate change. When Saharan dust lands in the Atlantic, it fertilizes microscopic phytoplankton, which in turn absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide.