They will now be able to track the effect of atmospheric dust, which has a little-understood but potentially far-reaching effect on everything from Florida's weather to the health of its coral reefs.

ECONOMIST: Bad air from Cuba

He said the ash was mostly made up of dust which causes the irritating effect but it also contains 4% silica.

BBC: Mount St Helens spews out steam and ash on 5 October 2004

They also conclude that greenhouse warming has partially been offset by the cooling effect of aerosols - tiny particles of dust thrown into the atmosphere that can reflect solar radiation back into space.

BBC: Climate research bolsters 'action' call to UN talks