Tropospheric aerosols over West Africa: highlights from the AMMA international program

West Africa is the world's largest source of mineral dust and biomass burning aerosols. The AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis) project developed an integrated strategy combining field measurements, remote sensing and modelling studies to better quantify aerosol emissions, to extensively document their physico-chemical properties and to describe their horizontal and vertical distributions and seasonal variability. Using this information in climate and numerical weather prediction models will lead to better climate projections and better simulations of dust storms, visibility, and air quality and the impacts upon human health. Copyright (C) 2011 Royal Meteorological Society