The Radiation and Remote Sensing of Atmospheres working group led by Prof Dr Kerstin Schepanski focuses on the atmospheric life cycle of natural aerosols, in particular mineral dust. Mineral dust are tiny mineral soil particles that are entrained into the atmosphere by wind. Suspended in the atmosphere, mineral dust particles interact with radiation ultimately  influencing the radiation balance and atmospheric dynamics.

The working group deals with various questions concerning the atmosphere-driven emission processes of mineral dust into the atmosphere in different source regions such as the hot and cold deserts, as well as natural and human-induced (i.e. agricultural land use) dust sources. We investicated aerosol-associated processes at different scales, and assess the wind-driven transport of aerosol reflecting the aerosols' trajectory from source to sink. Furthermore, we examine the role of aerosol optical properties and their interactions with radiation. With our reseaerch, we contribute to the investigation of aerosol-associated health effects in the framework of interdisciplinary research projects. In the working group we combine numerical modelling, satellite remote sensing and measuring instruments.