Fine dust from the Sahara desert crosses the Atlantic to South America on a frequent basis. This is the result of the Northeasterly Trade Winds at this latitude. This sand is eventually deposited over the Amazon Basin. This dust is extremely rich in nutrients (mainly phosphorus) which are essential for plant growth ed-hrvatski.com. The excessive rainfall of the Amazon Basin washes away large amounts of nutrients. Without the consistent nutrient input from across the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon Basin would end up becoming depleted of them. Some 27.7 million tons of fine sand reaches the Amazon Basin annually. It is baffling how the hot and barren Sahara is paramount for the survival of a wet, green and wildlife-rich place like the Amazon! Nature is truly awesome.