Atmospheric Science

DustDrone: using Hub tech to study the impact of Icelandic dust

"Our innovative approach using drone technology and miniaturised instruments represents a significant advance in understanding the atmospheric role of Icelandic dust. We expect this work to help refine climate models, improve predictions of Arctic warming, and enhance our understanding of high-latitude dust dynamics in a rapidly changing world.”

Polly Foster, Postgraduate Researcher, University of Leeds.

What’s the challenge we’re facing?

Dust emissions from Iceland play a critical but poorly understood role in shaping cloud formation and climate in the North Atlantic region. As ice-nucleating particles (INPs), these airborne dust particles influence cloud radiative properties, affecting how much sunlight is reflected or absorbed – a key factor in Arctic warming and climate change.

While we know that Iceland is a source of dust, we know very little about the vertical extent of dust from Iceland. This is important because the higher the dust goes, the further it is transported and the more likely it is to interact with cold clouds. Flying traditional aircraft to routinely monitor dust at altitude is not viable; it is costly and it cannot capture vertical profiles without significant horizontal travel.

To address this, the DustDrone project, led by University of Leeds, combines cutting-edge drone technology with advanced miniaturised aerosol instruments developed at the University of Hertfordshire. By deploying drones for high-altitude sampling, the project offers a cost-effective, scalable alternative to manned aircraft, enabling more frequent, precise data collection on Icelandic dust and its role in cloud microphysics.

What advances are we aiming for?

During a five-day field campaign in Iceland, in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Iceland, we deployed the MetSprite weather drone (wxUAS) equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, including:

The UCASS-N3 optical particle counter, developed at the University of Hertfordshire, to measure aerosol size distribution in real time.
The electrostatic precipitation-based aerosol sampler (ESP), developed for biowarfare scenarios by University of Hertfordshire under contract with Dstl, to collect particles for later analysis of ice-nucleating properties.
A 3D sonic anemometer to measure atmospheric turbulence and wind patterns influencing dust transport.

Flying up to 2km in altitude, the drone continuously monitored aerosol size, atmospheric conditions, and meteorological variables. These measurements were then compared with ground-based dust monitoring data, enabling a comprehensive assessment of vertical dust transport. By integrating Hub technologies into a flexible, drone-based system, this project paves the way for automated airborne INP sampling.

What have we achieved so far?

Our customized MetSprite wxUAS drone was successfully equipped, tested, and deployed in Iceland, where it captured high-resolution vertical profiles of dust and meteorological conditions. Key outcomes include:

Successful integration of Hertfordshire’s UCASS-N3 and ESP technology into the drone platform, proving the feasibility of high-altitude aerosol and bioaerosol sampling using compact, cost-effective sensors.
In-field validation of all instruments, ensuring they could operate under Iceland’s dynamic weather conditions and providing crucial proof-of-concept for future autonomous drone deployments.
Collection of high-altitude aerosol samples, which will be analysed using the Lab-on-a-Chip Nucleation by Immersed Particle Instrument (LOC-NIPI) at the University of Leeds to assess INP activity and climatic impact.
Collaboration with the Icelandic Aerosol and Dust Association (IceDust) and the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS), enabling direct comparisons between drone-collected and ground-based data.

Where next, through the Hub?

The campaign has laid the groundwork for long-term automated drone observations of Arctic dust transport. Looking ahead, we aim to: