Dust plumes rose from desiccated lakebed sediments of the Aral Sea in central Asia on 26 March. Local sediments have become a repository for salt, fertilisers and pesticides frequently used in irrigated farming. The increased frequency of dust storms combined with the chemicals contained in the lakebed sediments raised concerns about the impact on human health in the region.
Photograph: Modis/Aqua/Nasa
The Guardian
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