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North Africa is the largest global source of atmospherically transported desert dust. Advances in satellite technology allow dust plumes to be spatially and temporally monitored, but little is known of near-surface dust deposition, as field-based studies are rare. This paper presents results from a year-long field-based dust monitoring study of three zones across Libya, ranging from the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara desert. Monthly deposition rates are compared with meteorological data, particle size distribution and mineralogy to establish potential source areas. Comparison of annual dust deposition rates with previous studies in North Africa shows that areas of Libya have the highest dust deposition rates on record. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.