Three‐dimensional simulations of the atmospheric cycle of desert dust particles using a general circulation model

A modeling of the atmospheric cycle of desert dust particles has been introduced within an atmospheric general circulation model. This approach, which allows a modeling of the full cycle of dust particles, should help to investigate the link between desert dust and climate and, in particular, to study how the dust transport can be affected by climatic changes (for example, glacial age). In this paper we present a detailed description of the modeling and of the results obtained from simulations of the present‐day climate (February and August) performed to test the dust model. The modeling considers particles as passive scalars, in the 1‐μm range, and includes transport from all the desert areas. The simulated results exhibit a strong seasonal cycle, with twice more dust in August than in February, resulting from more dust uplifting in the troposphere over the Sahara and Arabia‐Asia in the summer. Compared to the available observations, the simulated results are fairly reasonable, showing, however, some deficiencies which are discussed.