NSF Org:	AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Recipient:	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Initial Amendment Date:	August 9, 2023
Latest Amendment Date:	August 9, 2023
Award Number:	2303301
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Mea S. Cook mcook@nsf.gov  (703)292-7306 AGS  Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	August 15, 2023
End Date:	July 31, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$306,686.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$306,686.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2023 = $306,686.00
History of Investigator:	Christopher Hayes (Principal Investigator) christopher.t.hayes@usm.edu Jessica Kastler (Co-Principal Investigator) Davin Wallace (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Southern Mississippi 118 COLLEGE DRIVE HATTIESBURG MS  US  39406-0001 (601)266-4119
Sponsor Congressional District:	04
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Southern Mississippi 2609 W 4TH ST STE H HATTIESBURG MS  US  39401-5876
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	M1K8LJAET5R1
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	P4CLIMATE
Primary Program Source:	01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	7754, 9150
Program Element Code(s):	225Y00
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

This project aims to combine results and analyses from previous published research with new analytical measurements using Thorium isotopes to develop a record of dust deposition in the Western Atlantic (Bermuda and Bahamas) over the past 1,500 years to investigate relationships between dust and past climate.

While dust aerosol is a critical component in the climate system and can force changes in surface temperatures through radiative effects, it can also respond to movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Such climate-dust interconnectivity and its effects on past or future climates, particularly in the North Atlantic, requires knowledge on the relative changes in atmospheric dust at the North African source as well as the regional extent of the dust transport.

The research will address three key questions: 1) did North African dust activity significantly impact North Atlantic Sea surface temperatures; 2) did North African dust activity suppress basin-wide hurricane frequency; and 3) is African dust emission and transport over the Atlantic consistently linked with ITCZ movement or other climate indices?

The potential Broader Impacts include a better understanding of the climate system, support for a graduate student, development of a network of colleagues in the Gulf Coast region, and a three-day High School Teacher Workshop for teachers from rural, inland areas of Mississippi and Alabama. In coordination with USM?s Marine Education Center, the researchers will engage teachers from underserved areas to learn how to implement ocean and climate research (including the impacts of African dust) into their teaching. This will involve teaching seminars, development of Science on a Sphere content, visits to research labs and a coastal Mississippi field trip. The Workshop activities will also include a follow-up to maintain connections with the High School teachers including an assessment of the workshop and the effectiveness of classroom implementation.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

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