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Science 22 July 1988:
Vol. 241. no. 4864, pp. 438 - 440
DOI: 10.1126/science.241.4864.438
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Articles

Ultraviolet Radiation Levels During the Antarctic Spring

JOHN E. FREDERICK 1 and HILARY E. SNELL 1

1 Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, 5734 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.

The decrease in atmospheric ozone over Antarctica during spring implies enhanced levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation received at the earth's surface. Model calculations show that UV irradiances encountered during the occurrence of an Antarctic "ozone hole" remain less than those typical of a summer solstice at low to middle latitudes. However, the low ozone amounts observed in October 1987 imply biologically effective irradiances for McMurdo Station, Antarctica, that are comparable to or greater than those for the same location at December solstice. Life indigenous to Antarctica thereby experiences a greatly extended period of summerlike UV radiation levels.

Submitted on March 15, 1988
Accepted on May 27, 1988


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Solar UVB-induced DNA damage and photoenzymatic DNA repair in antarctic zooplankton.
K. D. Malloy, M. A. Holman, D. Mitchell, and H. W. Detrich III (1997)
PNAS 94, 1258-1263
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Ozone depletion: ultraviolet radiation and phytoplankton biology in antarctic waters.
R. Smith, B. Prezelin, K. Baker, R. Bidigare, N. Boucher, T Coley, D Karentz, S MacIntyre, H. Matlick, D Menzies, et al. (1992)
Science 255, 952-959
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In Vivo Ultraviolet Irradiation of Human Skin Results in Profound Perturbation of the Immune System: Relevance to Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Cancer.
O. Baadsgaard (1991)
Arch Dermatol 127, 99-109
   Abstract »    PDF »
Ultraviolet Levels Under Sea Ice During the Antarctic Spring.
H. J. TRODAHL and R. G. BUCKLEY (1989)
Science 245, 194-195
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