Consider the following statements:[Physical Geography]

Statement I: The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions.

Statement II: Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

The correct option is: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

Explanation of Statement I:
The concentration of dust particles (aerosols) in the atmosphere varies significantly across different latitudinal zones. In equatorial regions, high temperatures lead to daily convectional rainfall, which continuously washes out dust particles from the atmosphere through wet deposition. In polar regions, the surface is covered with ice and snow, preventing wind from lifting dust into the air. In contrast, subtropical and temperate regions contain the world's major dry landmasses and deserts (such as the Sahara, Kalahari, and Gobi deserts). The lack of daily heavy rainfall and the availability of loose soil and sand make these regions major sources of atmospheric dust. Therefore, the amount of dust particles is higher in subtropical and temperate areas, making Statement I correct.

Explanation of Statement II and its relation to Statement I:
Statement II states that subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds. The specific moisture content and movement of winds in these zones regulate the lifting, transport, and suspension of dust particles. Winds that carry some level of moisture or exhibit specific circulation patterns in these regions help sustain dust particles in the air and transport them over vast areas rather than letting them immediately settle. This wind behavior explains how and why such high concentrations of dust particles remain suspended in the atmosphere of subtropical and temperate zones. Thus, Statement II is correct and provides the meteorological explanation for the observation in Statement I.