Lately a number of studies related with UV irradiance estimates from satellite data based on the Ozone Monitoring
Instrument (OMI) have shown a high correlation with ground-based measurements but a positive bias in many locations,
the satellite derived UV being higher. One of the key factors that this bias has been attributed to is the boundary layer
aerosol absorption not taken into account in the current OMI UV algorithm. In this work we have used a correction
procedure based on climatological global aerosol absorption data taken from AeroComm aerosol initiative. This dataset
includes aerosol optical depth and aerosol single scattering albedo assembled by combining, ground-based aerosol
measurements from AERONET and information from several global aerosol models. The results of this correction were
compared with synchronous ground-based measurements from 9 UV monitoring stations. The results generally showed a
significantly reduced bias of 7-20%, a lower variability, and an unchanged, high correlation coefficient.
Spectral measurements of direct solar ultraviolet irradiance are very important for many applications in the field of atmospheric sciences. Despite its usefulness, few UV monitoring sites include such measurements in their regular observational programs. Standardization of measurement methodologies and calibration techniques is required in order to reach the quality standard of global irradiance measurements. This study presents preliminary results from an intercomparison campaign of seven UV spectroradiometers of different types that took place at the high altitude site of Izana (28.3°N, 16.5°W, 2367 m above sea level), in Tenerife, Canary Islands in June 2005. The campaign is focused primarily on spectral measurements of direct solar irradiance. Among the objectives is to improve the quality of direct solar irradiance spectral measurements, through instrumental modifications and standardization of calibration techniques, as well as to assess the significance of the differences in the field of view of the spectroradiometers with respect to aerosols and to solar zenith angle. Under the low aerosol conditions prevailing during this campaign, we aimed to establish the differences among the various instruments under "ideal" conditions. Moreover, continuous measurements under stable total ozone and aerosol optical depth will be used to determine the extraterrestrial solar flux, through the application of the Langley extrapolation method. A first comparison of sky radiance measurements of the zenith light and of various directions on the sky show effects of sensitivity to polarization of one type of instruments and the variability of the provisional radiance calibration of 4 instruments.
Multiband filter radiometers (MBFRs) are extensively used in national networks for UV climate monitoring and information to the public about the potential risk of solar UV exposure. In order to provide an international, uniform expression of the Global UV index measurements, a harmonized calibration scale is needed. In this paper we present the results of the first international intercomparison of MBFRs held in Oslo in 2005. The purposes are to evaluate the UV-index scale of different radiometers and to provide a harmonized UV-index scale based on the radiometers individual directional and absolute spectral response functions. In total 43 MBFR radiometers and 4 high resolution spectroradiometers were assembled, representing UV-monitoring networks operated by institutions in US, Spain, Greece, Poland, Belgium, UK, Austria, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The radiometers are operating worldwide, with stations in the Antarctica and Arctic, North- and South-America, Africa, Europe, Middle-East and Nepal. All sky conditions were realized during the campaign period. The agreement between the users' own processed UVI and the reference is generally very good; within ±5% for 22 out of 26 data sets (75%) and ±10% for 23 out of 26 (88%). Solar zenith dependent discrepancies and drift in the users' UVI scales is seen, but the performance of most radiometers is generally very good. All the objectives planned for the intercomparison were fulfilled and the campaign considered a success.
On 29 March 2006, a total eclipse of the Sun was visible on the Greek island Kastelorizo (36.150°N, 29.596°E). An extended set of instruments was installed in order to measure the variability of different components of the radiation field during the eclipse. Seven spectroradiometers (two scanning double monochromators measuring especially in the UV range, 4 photo diode array instruments and one CCD-spectrograph for the UV and visible wavelength range) performed measurements during 28 and 29 March. A narrow band multi-filter radiometer and two broadband erythemal and UVA radiometers were operated with about 1 sec temporal resolution. Two sun-photometers were used to measure ozone column and aerosol optical depth. The weather conditions on March 28 were almost perfect, whereas on 29 March thin cirrus clouds were occasionally present in front of the sun. Details about the observed changes in the radiation field on the eclipse day are presented and compared with model calculations of the change in extraterrestrial solar irradiance. The results show an underestimation of the model calculations compared with measurements, with respect to the effect of the limb darkening on the spectral behavior of the solar irradiance during the eclipse. The absolute changes in the global and direct irradiance and their wavelength dependencies are discussed. Finally, the decrease in total ozone retrieved during the course of the eclipse from direct irradiance measurements is investigated with respect to the effect of the limb darkening and the influence of the diffuse radiation entering the field of view of the Brewer spectroradiometer.
QASUME is a European Commission funded project that aims to develop and test a transportable unit for providing quality assurance to UV spectroradiometric measurements conducted in Europe. The comparisons will be performed at the home sites of the instruments, thus avoiding the risk of transporting instruments to participate in intercomparison campaigns. Spectral measurements obtained at each of the stations will be compared, following detailed and objective comparison protocols, against collocated measurements performed by a thoroughly tested and validated travelling unit. The transportable unit comprises a spectroradiometer, its calibrator with a set of calibration lamps traceable to the sources of different Standards Laboratories, and devices for determining the slit function and the angular response of the local spectroradiometers. The unit will be transported by road to about 25 UV stations over a period of about two years. The spectroradiometer of the transportable unit is compared in an intercomparison campaign with six instruments to establish a relation, which would then be used as a reference for its calibration over the period of its regular operation at the European stations. Different weather patterns (from clear skies to heavy rain) were present during the campaign, allowing the performance of the spectroradiometers to be evaluated under unfavourable conditions (as may be experienced at home sites) as well as the more desirable dry conditions. Measurements in the laboratory revealed that the calibration standards of the spectroradiometers differ by up to 10%. The evaluation is completed through comparisons with the same six instruments at their homes sites.
Actinic flux (the radiation incident on the surface of a small sphere) is the measure of radiation required for atmospheric chemistry. The photolysis rate for a given species is the product of its absorption cross-section, quantum yield and the actinic flux, integrated over all relevant wavelengths. Despite their importance, actinic flux and photolysis rate data are not routinely available since radiation monitoring sites usually report irradiances (radiation on a flat, horizontal surface). Using data from Reading (UK) we show that spectral UV actinic fluxes can be derived from spectral irradiance measurements with a scanning spectroradiometer (Bentham DTM300) to within an uncertainty of 20% full range, or 15% if sky conditions are known. Any photolysis rate dependent on these wavelengths can then be calculated from the actinic flux data. The disadvantage of spectroradiometers is their scan time of several minutes. The GUV-541 multi-band radiometer measures across 5 narrow UV channels simultaneously and samples at a rate of 2-3Hz. Using a semi-empirical formula, this multi-band irradiance data can be converted into photolysis rates for J(O3) and J(NO2). The GUV derived photolysis rates were within 20% of those calculated from spectral actinic fluxes under all conditions tested. This compares well with other methods of measuring photolysis rates.
The vast majority of radiation measurements, including UV, refer to the radiation incident on a flat horizontal plate. However, this may not be the most appropriate way to specify radiation for bodies affected by UV, since they are rarely flat or horizontal. In particular the target molecules involved in atmospheric chemistry are approximately spherical and the actinic flux would be a better measure of the incident radiation. The ADMIRA project is addressing the issue of converting spectral UV irradiances to spectral actinic fluxes that can then be weighted with any required cross-section or action spectrum to give photolysis rates or biologically effective radiation incident on a sphere. The success with which this conversion can be made will depend on the prevailing atmospheric conditions and the knowledge of such at the time the irradiance measurements were made. Several different approaches to the conversion are being assessed, together with their associated uncertainties. These range from the simple empirical method to more complex radiative-transfer model based algorithms. Here we report on a coordinated campaign of simultaneous irradiance and actinic flux measurements supported by a wide range of ancillary measurements and their application to a simple empirical approach to converting irradiances to actinic fluxes.
Changes in atmospheric ozone have been identified from long-term, ground-based, and satellite observations of column ozone amount over much of the earth's surface, yet there is little data available on the resultant ground level ultraviolet (UV) radiation about which there is so much concern. This is explained in part by the difficulties of making UV measurements in the environment, and the lack of any standard instruments or protocols for such work. Instruments designed for spectral solar UV measurement have been compared under laboratory and field conditions. Results indicate that it is possible to consider different instruments contributing to a single network of UV monitoring sites provided careful attention is given to calibration and operation procedures and to understanding each aspect of the instruments' performance.
Increases in ultraviolet radiation (UV) caused by ozone depletion in the stratosphere are expected to have physiological effects on plants and animals. Biologists require high wavelength resolution UV data to adequately assess these effects. Numerical simulations of scattering and absorption in the atmosphere provide a useful way of predicting the global UV irradiance reaching the ground. Results from radiative transfer calculations are presented here. Two different methods are used to calculate diffuse irradiances, either the Discrete-Ordinate (D-O) method or the Delta-Eddington (D-E) approximation. Surface UV irradiances obtained with the D-O scheme are compared to those using the D-E approximation for a wide variety of atmospheric conditions, to assess how changes in tropospheric aerosol and cloud affect the accuracy of the D-E approximation. Stratospheric aerosol has been shown to be capable of increasing the UV irradiances at the ground. The magnitude of these increases is shown to depend strongly on the absorption of multiple scattered photons by ozone. The prediction of this increase by numerical models provides a good test of the accuracy of any radiative transfer approximations used. It is shown that the Delta-Eddington approximation appears to be deficient for high wavelength resolution surface irradiance prediction, in certain circumstances.
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