#dust

All articles tagged with "dust"

Plants Can Absorb Nutrients Directly From Dust on Their Leaves, Study Finds

Field experiments in Israel suggest that plants in dust-rich environments can take up minerals through their leaves, revealing an underappreciated pathway for nutrition in nutrient-poor ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

Researchers used volcanic dust to show nutrients were absorbed through leaves, not roots.
Dusted shrubs showed higher shoot levels of iron, manganese, nickel, and copper.

DT Editorial Team·May 21, 2026·via refractor.io

Great Salt Lake Dust Study Raises Public Health Concerns as Toxins Move Into Soil, Plants and People

New research from Utah State University and the University of Utah says toxins from Great Salt Lake dust are being absorbed by plants, soils and human bodies as shrinking water levels expose more lakebed.

Key Takeaways

Researchers say Great Salt Lake dust toxins are being absorbed by plants, soils and human bodies.
The finding links falling lake levels to possible public health risk.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 22, 2026·via phys.org