pelitology

Pelitology is the study of dust. It encompasses the origin, composition, transport, and deposition of dust particles, whether they originate from natural terrestrial sources, extraterrestrial bodies, or anthropogenic activities. Scientists in this field analyze dust to understand a wide range of phenomena, including climate change, atmospheric science, geological processes, and even the history of the solar system.

Dust particles are typically defined as solid particles less than 500 micrometers in diameter. Terrestrial dust can be lifted into the atmosphere by wind from arid and semi-arid regions, deserts, and agricultural lands. This dust can travel vast distances, influencing cloud formation, precipitation patterns, and the Earth's energy balance. For example, Saharan dust is known to be transported across the Atlantic Ocean, fertilizing the Amazon rainforest.

Extraterrestrial dust, often referred to as cosmic dust, originates from comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. These microscopic particles can be found in the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and even embedded within ancient ice cores and sedimentary rocks. Studying cosmic dust provides valuable insights into the composition of the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets.

Anthropogenic dust is generated by human activities such as mining, construction, agriculture, and industrial processes. While often localized, it can have significant environmental and health impacts. Pelitology also involves developing methods for sampling, analyzing, and modeling dust to better understand its complex role in Earth's systems.