Variability of UV-B at four stations in Europe

The variability of solar irradiance in the UV‐B spectral region is studied at four stations operating well‐calibrated spectroradiometers during the period 1991–96. It is confirmed that total ozone is the controlling factor in long‐term changes of solar irradianee below 320 nm received at the ground....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 1997-06, Vol.24 (11), p.1363-1366
Main Authors: Zerefos, C. S., Balis, D. S., Bais, A. F., Gillotay, D., Simon, P. C., Mayer, B., Seckmeyer, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amplitudes
Earth, ocean, space
Estimates
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Irradiance
Mathematical analysis
Meteorology
Ozone
Radiative transfer. Solar radiation
Sky
Spectra
Stations
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The variability of solar irradiance in the UV‐B spectral region is studied at four stations operating well‐calibrated spectroradiometers during the period 1991–96. It is confirmed that total ozone is the controlling factor in long‐term changes of solar irradianee below 320 nm received at the ground. This result is supported by the similar long‐term variability under clear sky and all sky conditions during the past five years. The study includes estimates of the amplitude of the annual cycle and estimates of long‐term changes. An important result of this note is, that calculated changes in solar irradiance depend on the length of the observational period and that any speculations on its future changes should be treated always with caution. It is estimated that a 2.7% change per year in solar irradiance at 305 nm at Thessaloniki is a rate that could possibly continue in view of the expected continuation of the ozone decline resulting to an increase of 27% per decade, which is comparable to the amplitude of the annual cycle at that station.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/97GL01177