Atmospheric trace element calibrated 210Pb as a monitor of Australian dust flux

Australia is arguably the largest source of atmospheric dust in the Southern Hemisphere, the majority of which is transported out of the eastern dust plume pathway across the Tasman Sea and toward New Zealand. Atmospheric transport of mineral dust is known to affect radiation transfers, cloud formation and bio-geochemical cycles downwind of dust source areas. Yet despite this, there are no records of rates of dust transport at a resolution sufficient to allow an understanding of contemporary dust processes within the Australian region. We address this gap in knowledge by presenting the first high resolution record of Australian dust flux onto New Zealand, constructed by converting an existing record of atmospheric 210Pb activity from New Zealand into a measure of Australian dust flux. (author). 8 refs., 2 figs