Measurements of the Atmospheric Electric Field through a Triangular   Array and the Long-range Saharan Dust Electrification in Southern Portugal
  Atmospheric electric field (AEF) measurements were carried out in three different sites forming a triangular array in Southern Portugal. The campaign was performed during the summer characterized by Saharan dust outbreaks; the 16th-17th July 2014 desert dust event is considered here. Evidence of long-range dust electrification is attributed to the air-Earth electrical current creating a positive space-charge inside of the dust layer. An increase of ~23 V/m is observed in AEF on the day of the dust event corresponding to space-charges of ~20-2 pCm-3 (charge layer thicknesses ~10-100 m). A reduction of AEF is observed after the dust event. 
H.G. Silva, F. Lopes, S. Pereira, S.M. Barbosa, K. Nicoll, M. Collares   Pereira, and R.G. Harrison
physics.ao-ph physics.geo-ph