Success Stories

Measuring Saharan Dust in Cyprus

Supported by the IRISCC Open Calls, Samantha Gallatin (University of Tübingen) accessed the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) at the Cyprus Institute to conduct field measurements of boundary layer meteorology and particle transport.

User Experience

I am Samantha Gallatin and I work in the Environmental Physics group at the University of Tübingen, Germany, where uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are used to study boundary layer meteorology, particularly turbulent interactions and particle transport. Our research involves measuring meteorological parameters—especially particles—and testing and validating sensors in real atmospheric conditions.

The relevance of this study to tackling climate change risks goes hand in hand with radiation modeling. Many non-dust specific models consider only fine aerosol particles because they are considered to dominate in the atmosphere. This study demonstrated that coarse Saharan dust particles can be transported in higher concentrations over 2 ooo km away from their source region. This ultimately impacts radiation and temperatures.

With more in-situ observations like this, we can aid modelers in improving models to reflect the current atmospheric state, ultimately influencing actualized weather models and predictions of what the future climate may be.

Installation

Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL)

Research Infrastructure

ACTRIS

Provider

Cyprus Institute (Cyl)

Link

https://catalog.isia.cnrs.fr/catalog/20/installations/320

Duration

5 days during 8.5.2026-14.5.2026

Access

Transnational Access, Physical

About the project

In 2022, we carried out measurements in Orounda, Cyprus, where we observed Saharan dust transported over long distances. We compared data from one of our sensors (Alphasense OPC-N3) with other instruments, both on the ground and on an aircraft. After this, we wanted to verify our measurements, so we planned another set of measurements by comparing them with a gravimetric reference.

This led us back to Cyprus in 2025, this time to Nicosia, where a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) is operated at the Cyprus Institute. Since the institute’s Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) is part of IRISCC, we applied transnational access to it through IRISCC. The application process was clear and easy to follow. It did not take long to complete, and the steps were well explained.

At the Cyprus Institute, we were given space to work and were allowed to install our instruments next to the reference measurements, which was exactly what we needed. Just as important was the interaction with the local team. Their experience with both remote sensing and UAV-based measurements was useful. That kind of day-to-day knowledge exchange turned out to be very helpful when interpreting measurements and dealing with practical challenges.

Picture: Alphasense OPC-N3 sensor.

Highlights of the experience

Access through IRISCC made this work possible in the first place. It allowed us to use equipment and expertise that would not have been possible otherwise. It helped us avoid some potential pitfalls and made the overall process more efficient, which in turn supports the quality of the results.

Looking back, the most valuable part of the experience was probably the collaboration itself. Being able to work closely with people who have long-term experience with these types of measurements gave us perspectives we would not have had otherwise.

Based on this experience, I would recommend IRISCC services to other researchers. It provides a practical way to access research facilities to conduct research related to climate change risks and connect with people who work on similar problems, without making the process overly complicated.

Picture: The Environmental Physics group (University of Tübingen) at the TeamX measurement campaign in Inn Valley (July 2025).

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Measuring Saharan Dust in Cyprus

User Experience

Measuring Saharan Dust in Cyprus

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Measuring Saharan Dust in Cyprus

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