EU Copernicus satellites have captured the extent to which Malta was hit by dust from the Sahara Desert in recent days.

The image was shared by marine biologist Alan Deidun, who described it as “some fertiliser coming our way”.

Indeed, while it can be a frustrating experience for drivers, Saharan dust essentially acts as a long-range fertiliser for plankton by depositing essential nutrients like iron and phosphorus into the sea.

Times of Malta reported that Malta’s five air quality monitoring station – in Attard, Għarb, Msida, Żejtun and St Paul’s Bay – all recorded significant spikes of airborne dust in recent days, well above the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit.