Saharan Dust Storms over Hungary – Researchers’ Take On the Phenomenon and Related Fake News

An increasing number of news outlets report on Saharan dust storms reaching Hungary and the accompanying muddy rains. Concurrently, misleading speculations and fake news are proliferating on social media. Some not only question the origin of the dust but also claim, without any evidence, that it involves deliberate poisoning or aerial spraying. Researchers at the HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (HUN-REN CSFK) are now refuting these assertions.

Researchers at HUN-REN CSFK have identified over 280 Saharan dust storm events in the Carpathian Basin dating back to 1979. Their observations indicate that both the frequency and intensity of these events have significantly increased over the past decade. Whereas previously only 3 - 4 such occurrences reached Hungary annually, recent years have seen as many as 10 - 12 events per year. This trend is attributed to climate change.

Should we fear Saharan dust?

Everyone may encounter the reddish-orange dust of Saharan origin that arrives with raindrops, leaving spots on cars, windows, and plants. These dust storms are primarily composed of mineral particles - quartz, feldspar, calcite, dolomite, and iron oxides - but they also contain spores, fungi, and bacteria, meaning that microorganisms from the Sahara can reach us. However, it's important to note that these are present only in small quantities in the incoming dust storms.

Of course, it is also true that in parts of Spain, Italy, and Greece, during Saharan dust storms, the concentration of PM10 particles in the air often exceeds the health threshold. Researchers say that this makes it difficult to always comply with EU emission reduction rules – therefore, they are currently working on developing a method that takes into account when pollution originates from natural sources – such as the Sahara.

Can these storms carry radioactive particles? Traces of nuclear tests conducted in the Sahara are still detectable today. During a 2022 dust storm, radioactive isotopes of French origin were found in Europe.

It's not only misconceptions that make it important to discuss Saharan dust storms. Indeed, these dust storms originating from the Sahara are reaching Hungary more frequently and in larger quantities. Beyond the deterioration of air quality, there are other areas where it is time to incorporate the effects of dust storms into analyses and forecasts. Saharan dust storms must also be considered in Hungarian solar energy production.

As previously described, atmospheric dust reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface by reflecting, absorbing, and scattering light. Additionally, certain dust particles promote cloud formation, which further diminishes solar irradiance. This combination leads to decreased energy production - a factor that should be understood and predicted not only for energy security but also for economic reasons.