Abstract
Recent researches on desert aerosols which have been increasing due to desertification were reviewed. The main topics here were;
(1) long-range transport of desert aerosols, and
(2) radiation balance changes caused by the existence of desert aerosols.
Results of some important studies were described and problems to be solved were pointed out. The Saharan dust and the Asian dust (or yellow sand) were described as exsamples of long-range transport. Optical properties of the Saharan dust were discussed as well as the vertical profiles of heating and cooling rates of the atmosphere. Comprehensive and quantitative understanding of the desert aerosols is essential, which requires threedimensional and continuous observations and theoretical as well as experimental studies on the optical properties of desert aerosols.
