Impact of Mineral Dust Pollution on the Environmental Nutrient Budget in Cabo Verde

Mineral dust is a source of pollution and air quality. However, it can be a source of nutrients to the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In this study, the impact of dust pollution on some essential nutrients has been investigated. Particulate Matter (PM10) samples were collected over twelve days at Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory, from 27 January to 8 February 2022, using a low-volume sampler on 37 mm diameter quartz fiber filters. The concentration of water-soluble inorganic ions in PM10 was determined using ion chromatography. The following inorganic nutrients, Fe, PO42−, NO3−, and NH4+, were quantified due to their high influence on the marine ecosystem. The concentration of PM10 drastically increased during the Saharan dust intrusion. The mean value during the Saharan dust days was 118.9 μg/m3 (for n = 6 days during the dust storm) compared to the background value of 2.04 μg/m3 (for n = 3 days before the dust storm). The daily concentrations of PO42−, NO3−, and NH4+ in dust days were factor 2 higher than those of non-dust days. These results show a strong effect of dust pollution on the ecosystem that needs further attention.