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How dust affects the world

After a new report sheds light on the dangers of dust, we storm off into some dust-related science.

This week, a new report into the dangers that sand and dust storms pose to the world's health and economy has inspired us to delve in the science of dust.

First, we look at the report by the World Meteorological Organisation and hear about what can be done to mitigate the dangers of dust.

We also find out the surprising way in which the Sahara is keeping the Amazon rainforest well-fed, and Derek Fabel from the University of Glasgow tells us how dust can help us to determine the age of glaciers.

Plus, the dusty maths that took 15 years to solve, and the musician who swapped jazz for space dust.

All that, and many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Minnie Harrop, Lucy Davies, and Robbie Wojciechowski

Release date:

50 minutes

On radio

Tomorrow 09:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tomorrow 09:06GMT
  • Tomorrow 23:06GMT
  • Saturday 03:06GMT
  • Saturday 14:06GMT
  • Sunday 19:06GMT

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