The release of lithogenic elements (which are often assumed to be insoluble) such as Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Rare Earth Elements (REE), Thorium (Th) and Protactinium (Pa) by Saharan dust reaching Mediterranean seawater was studied through tank experiments over 3 to 4 days under controlled conditions including control without dust addition and dust seeding under present and future climate conditions (+3 °C and −0.3 pH unit). Unfiltered surface seawater from 3 oligotrophic regions (Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea and Algerian Basin) were used. The maximum dissolution fractions were low for all seeding experiments: less than 0.3 % for Fe, 1 % for 232Th and Al, about 2–5 % for REE and less than 6 % for Pa. Different behaviors were observed: dissolved Al increased until the end of the experiments, Fe did not dissolve significantly and Th and light REE were scavenged back on the particles after a fast initial release. The constant 230Th/232Th ratio during the scavenging phase suggests that there is little or no further dissolution after the initial Th release. Quite unexpectedly, comparison of present and future conditions indicates that changes in temperature and/or pH influence the release of thorium and REE in seawater, leading to a lower Th release and a higher light REE release under increased greenhouse conditions.