Newsletter tells how the Saharan sand samples are researched
Sand dunes in the Saharan desert. Photo: Adobe StockOn 23 February a visible layer of Saharan sand deposited on snow in Finland. The sand dust had travelled thousands of kilometres up in the atmosphere and some of it landed in Finland through snowfall. The phenomenon intrigued citizens, as a visible layer of sand dust is not that commonly observed. Finnish Meteorological Institute asked citizens to collect sand samples and to send these to FMI for analysis.
Many of the citizens who sent in samples wished to hear how the research of the samples continues. A newsletter, released in Finnish and English, will be used to inform citizens about the status and progress of the project in an accessible way. The newsletter is planned to appear four times a year and it will include the latest updates and findings.
“In the first issue, we thank everyone who kindly participated by sending samples, and we also release the exact number of sample letters received”, tells senior researcher Outi Meinander from the Finnish Meteorological Institute. In the newsletter, the reader can also learn, for example, who is currently working on this project and what are the future plans for analyzing the dust samples.
The core members of the Saharan hiekkaa FMI team include chief scientist professor Ari Laaksonen, Ana Alvarez Piedehierro, trainee Enna Heikkinen, André Welti, and Outi Meinander. In addition, other scientists from FMI, LUOMUS and University of Helsinki are working in close collaboration with the core team.
Citizens who contributed with samples and provided their email information will automatically receive the newsletters. Anyone interested in getting these updates can also subscribe using the form here.
Further information:
Senior research scientist, Dr. Outi Meinander, outi.meinander@fmi.fi
Postdoc researcher, Dr. Ana Álvarez Piedehierro, ana.alvarez.piedehierro@fmi.fi (in English and Spanish)