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Ultraviolet Radiation : Distribution and Variability

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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

Definition of the Subject and Its Importance

Solar UV radiation is the most energetic radiation that is able to penetrate the atmosphere and reach the Earth’s surface. Due to the very low intensities of the radiation in this wavelength range, its investigation started comparably late with respect to the other spectral regions of the solar spectrum. Dorno was the first to investigate systematically the seasonal and spectral variability of solar UV radiation at Davos, Switzerland. Starting in 1907, his measurements allowed to determine the distinct differences of radiation in this wavelength range, which were later explained by the absorption of atmospheric ozone (mainly located in the stratosphere). Using a specially designed spectroradiometer, he discovered the relationship between the cut-on of the solar spectrum in the UV-B and the path through the atmosphere. In view of his achievements, UV radiation at...

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Abbreviations

Effective surface albedo:

The effective surface albedo represents the reflectivity of a homogeneous surface which produces the same downwelling UV irradiance as in the presence of an inhomogeneous surface.

Erythemal UV radiation:

UV radiation weighted with the nominal action spectrum for the spectral sensitivity of Human skin to sunburn (erythema).

Solar zenith angle:

Angle between the sun and the normal to the Earth’s surface. An SZA of 0° corresponds to an overhead sun (solar elevation 90°), while a SZA of 90° corresponds to the sun at the horizon.

Spectroradiometer:

Instrument using a grating or prism to split the incoming radiation in its spectral components so as to measure the intensity of the solar spectrum at individual wavelengths.

Stratosphere:

Part of the atmosphere between approximately 10 and 40 km which is characterized by increasing atmospheric temperatures with height due to the photo dissociation of ozone molecules by solar UV radiation.

Irradiance:

Radiation flux through a unit surface area.

Radiation dose:

Amount of radiation reaching a subject during a defined time interval. A daily dose corresponds to the total radiation reaching the surface during one whole day.

UV Radiation:

Radiation in the wavelength range 100–400 nm. It is subdivided into three regions called UV-C (100–280 nm), UV-B (280–315 nm), and UV-A (315–400 nm).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Ultraviolet Calibration Center, Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos, World Radiation Center, Dorfstrasse 33, 7260, Davos Dorf, Switzerland

    Dr. Julian Gröbner

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  1. Dr. Julian Gröbner
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Correspondence to Julian Gröbner .

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  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Gröbner, J. (2012). Ultraviolet Radiation : Distribution and Variability . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_453

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