Saline lakes across the world are experiencing accelerated desiccation due to climate change, altered hydrological regimes, and unsustainable water management. The desiccation of these lakes transforms aquatic environments into exposed salt beds, creating new sources of dust emissions that degrade air quality and influence regional climate and ecosystems. While numerous regional studies have documented the impacts of individual drying lakes, a comprehensive global-scale analysis remains lacking. This research therefore aims to systematically investigate the relationship between saline lake desiccation and saline dust emissions worldwide.

Using a combination of multi-temporal remote sensing data, climate reanalysis datasets, and geospatial modelling, the study will first identify desiccating saline lakes worldwide and analyse their temporal shrinkage trends. By combining global assessments with detailed case studies of major desiccated saline lakes, such as the Aral Sea, Lake Urmia, and the Great Salt Lake, this research will provide new insights into how shrinking saline lakes contribute to atmospheric dust loading and emission. Ultimately, the findings will enhance understanding of the climatic and ecological consequences of saline dust emissions and support sustainable water and land management under a changing climate.