4D-Atlantic Dust-Ocean Modelling & Observing Study (DOMOS)

The ESA-funded “4D-Atlantic Dust-Ocean Modelling & Observing Study” (DOMOS) kicked off in September 2021, with the overarching objective to advance our fundamental understanding on the complex atmospheric dust-ocean interactions in the Atlantic Ocean in the context of climate change. The project has an innovative approach with the integrated use of modelling, EO-based products and in-situ datasets. DOMOS has created and validated a novel EO-based product of dust deposition fluxes against in-situ observations and previously existing datasets of dust deposition. Specifically, the project has developed a product of pure-dust deposition fluxes across the Atlantic Ocean for 2007-2020, based on the exploitation of (1) the CALIPSO-based ESA-LIVAS pure-dust database, (2) the MODIS-MIDAS and Metop-IASI MAPIR/IMARS/LMD/ULB atmospheric pure-dust products, and (3) ERA5 U/V wind components. Moreover, DOMOS has provided a validation of the dust deposition field from the CAMS reanalysis and has performed assimilation tests of IASI and Aeolus aerosol products with the goal of providing a better description of the dust aerosol transport over the Tropical Atlantic. The DOMOS products also contribute to an improved representation of the physical and chemical characteristics of dust deposition over the ocean, which is crucial to interpret past changes in the atmosphere and ocean and to better understand the possible future development. This includes a better understanding and quantification of the contributions from natural and anthropogenic dust to the deposition of soluble iron, compared to depositions associated with biomass burning and anthropogenic aerosols. This has been achieved through new experiments with the climate model EC-Earth3-Iron. Finally, DOMOS foresees providing a scientific roadmap to highlight the findings of the project and identify possible gaps in the modeling and the observing approaches of atmospheric dust-ocean interactions. In this presentation, we give an overview of the project and highlight the most important results from the DOMOS dust deposition products and model experiments. More information can be found at https://www.ecmwf.int/en/research/projects/domos