Highlights

• The GSL has reached historically low levels.

• As And Li levels in GSL exceeded EPA residential regional screening levels.

• The oxidative potential (OP) of dust from GSL is higher than the OP in other regions.

• The OP of the GSL dust was associated with metals, including Cu, Mn, Fe, and Al.

• The choice of OP assay and extraction solvent affects the OP activity of redox-active species.

Our results show that the concentration of As and Li in most of the GSL dust samples exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) soil residential regional screening levels, and the OPAA and OPDTT of dust samples from GSL playas were generally higher than the OP of other regional playas.

Our findings also indicated that the OP of the GSL dust was associated with metals, including Cu, Mn, Fe, and Al.

This is the first study evaluating the oxidative potential of dust from the GSL, which improves our understanding of how increasing aridity, particularly desiccation of saline lakes, affects air quality and public health.