Date:02/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/seta/2009/07/02/stories/2009070250081200.htm

Earlier mountain spring caused by desert dust

M.A. SRIRAM

Desert dust blown onto mountains may change how plants respond to climate cues that regulate their life cycles. Dust absorbs heat that snow would otherwise reflect, enhancing sunlight’s heating effect, causing early snowmelt.