A Model for Inactivation of Microbes Suspended in the Atmosphere by Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

Solar ultraviolet (UV) light within 280–320 nm (UVB) is the primary cause for virus inactivation in the atmosphere. Only the effect of the direct component has been previously evaluated. We developed a simple regression model to estimate the inactivation of a virus due to direct (unscattered), diffuse (scattered) and total (direct + diffuse) components of solar UV (daily integrated irradiances). The model predicts the maximum number of radiation-days a virus will survive at a given altitude above the ground in rural and urban environments under clear skies. We explored the effect of several environmental variables: visibility, altitude and ground reflectivity. We found that the effect of diffuse radiation on virus inactivation was larger than the direct component. The diffuse irradiance increased with ground albedo (mainly due to reflection of the direct attenuated solar off the ground) and decreased with increased visibility (proportional to aerosol loading in the atmosphere). The diffuse component increased with altitude, but the ratio of diffuse to the total decreased with increased altitude, highlighting the importance of the diffuse component of UV near the ground. Our model may help public health studies in predicting and understanding the effect of environmental parameters on the survival of germs.     

Albedo-enhanced maximum UV irradiance--measured on surfaces oriented normal to the sun

UV radiation measured on normal-to-the-sun-oriented surfaces can show significantly higher global UV irradiance values compared to measurements on horizontal receivers. The direct component is amplified by the inverse cosine of the zenith angle, but over surfaces with high local albedo this accounts for only about half of the signal rise of global irradiance. The signal rise of the diffuse component, however, is strongly related to local albedo and solar elevation, which is demonstrated by 2 years of measurements of direct, diffuse, global, reflected and global normal-to-the-sun erythemal effective UV irradiance (UVery). Global UVery signal rises, on normal-to-the-sun-oriented versus horizontal receivers, of up to 65% were measured on fresh snow and solar elevation angles below 30 degrees. An empirical expression has been deduced from the measurements relating the ratio of normal-to-the-sun versus horizontal measurements of global UVery to surface albedo and solar elevation. This allows one to calculate the maximum global UVery irradiance levels which are to be expected on normal-to-the-sun-oriented surfaces with respect to horizontal measurements or model calculations.     

A study of solar erythema radiation doses

Abstract —Using semi-empirical analytic formulas for the transmitted and scattered ultraviolet spectral irradiance at the ground (Green, A. E. S., T. Sawada and E. P. Shettle, Photochem. Photobiol. 19 , 251–259, 1974), we calculate erythema dose rates and daily erythema doses. Results are illustrated graphically, and for the purpose of photobiological applications are given in terms of approximate analytic forms, with parameters presented in tabular form. The relative erythema data assembled by W. W. Coblentz and R. Stair (U.S. Bureau of Standards J. Res. 12 , 13–14, 1934), as fit by an analytic form, is taken as a standard spectrum in our calculations. Other forms of erythema spectra are also compared.     

IMPROVED ANALYTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ULTRAVIOLET SKYLIGHT

Abstract— We present an improved analytic characterization of diffuse spectral irradiance (skylight) for the wavelength range 280–380 nm and solar zenith angle range from 0 to 85°. The formulas achieve greater accuracy by (a) focusing on ratio representations and (b) adjusting the parameters to the more precise radiative transfer calculations of Dave, Braslau and Halpern.     

Global spectral UV-radiometer with automatic shadow band

A solar radiometer (GUV-511 C, Biospherical Instruments Inc., San Diego, CA) with four UV channels has been operating at Trelew (43.2 degrees S, 65.3 degrees W), Argentina, since the austral spring of 1997. The instrument provides global (direct + diffuse) irradiance on the horizontal plane year-round, with a 1 min period. On 1 January 1999, an automatic shadow band was added to calculate diffuse and direct radiation. The period of the measurements was increased to 2 min to keep the same signal to noise (S:N) ratio. Once the direct radiation values were available for the 305 nm and 320 nm spectral bands, the total ozone value was calculated and results were compared with data provided by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) on the Earth Probe satellite. Results show a root-mean-square (RMS) deviation within 4% compared with that of TOMS, so the quality of results is considered to be quite good. The importance of regular calibration to maintain long-term accuracy is stressed.     

Standard ultraviolet daylight for nonextreme exposure conditions

The skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from natural or artificial sources on a daily basis. The effects of chronic low dose exposure merit investigation, even when these effects are neither conspicuous nor clinically assessable. The purpose of the present study was to define a relative spectral UV irradiance that is representative of frequent nonextreme sun exposure conditions and therefore more appropriate for studies of the long-term and daily effects of solar UV on the skin. Solar spectral UV irradiance values were calculated for different dates and locations by using a radiative transfer model. The spectral irradiance values obtained when the solar elevation is lower than 45 degrees were averaged. An important feature is the dUVA (320-400 nm) to dUVB (290-320 nm) irradiance values ratio, which was found to be 27.3 for the overall average. When the months corresponding to extreme irradiance values (low or high) were excluded from the calculations, the dUVA to dUVB ratio ranged from 27.2 to 27.5. The mean spectral irradiance of the model presented here represents environmental UV exposure conditions and can be used both as a standard to investigate the biological effects of a nonextreme UVR and to assess the effectiveness of products for daily skin protection.     

The Austrian UVA‐Network

The ultraviolet‐A (UVA) part of the solar spectrum at the Earth's surface is an essential environmental factor but continuous long‐time monitoring of UVA radiation is rarely done. In Austria, three existing stations of the UV monitoring network have been upgraded with UVA broadband instruments. At each station, one instrument measures global UVA irradiance and—in parallel—a second instrument measures diffuse irradiance. Recent and past measurements are available via a web page. This paper describes the used instruments, calibration and quality assurance and control procedures. Global and diffuse UVA measurements during a period of up to 5 years are presented. Data indicate clear annual courses and an increase of UVA with altitude by 8–9% per 1000 m. In the first half of the year, UVA radiation is higher than in the second half, due to less cloudiness. In Vienna (153 m asl), the mean daily global UVA radiant exposure in summer is almost as high as at Mt. Gerlitzen (1540 m asl), equalizing the altitude effect, due to less cloudiness. However, in winter, the UVA radiant exposure at Mt. Gerlitzen is double as high, as in Vienna.     

SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT THE EARTH'S SURFACE

The biologically effective ultraviolet irradiance at the earth's surface varies with the elevation of the sun, the atmospheric ozone amount, and with the abundance of scatterers and absorbers of natural and anthropogenic origin. Taken alone, the reported decrease in column ozone over the Northern Hemisphere between 1969 and 1986 implies an increase in erythemal irradiance at the ground of four percent or less during summer. However, an increase in tropospheric absorption, arising from polluting gases or particulates over localized areas, could more than offset the predicted enhancement in radiation. Any such extra absorption is likely to be highly regional in nature and does not imply that a decrease in erythemal radiation has occurred on a global basis. The Antarctic 'ozone hole' represents a special case in which a portion of the earth has experienced ultraviolet radiation levels during spring that are far in excess of those which prevailed prior to the present decade.     

Solar Spectral Irradiance and Summary Outputs Using Excel

The development of an Excel spreadsheet is described that calculates solar spectral irradiance between 290–3000 nm on an unshaded, horizontal surface under a cloudless sky at sea level, together with summary outputs such as global UV index, illuminance and percentage of energy in different wavebands. A deliberate goal of the project was to adopt the principle of Ockham's razor and to develop a model that is as simple as it can be commensurate with delivering results of adequate accuracy. Consequently, just four inputs are required—geographical latitude, month, day of month and time of day—resulting in a spreadsheet that is easily usable by anyone with an interest in sunlight and solar power irrespective of their background. The accuracy of the calculated data is sufficient for many applications where knowledge of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared levels in sunlight is of interest.     

Laser induced stepwise and two-photon ionization studies of strontium in the air acetylene flame

Using strontium atoms present as a trace constituent in an air-acetylene flame as an example, a rich laser enhanced ionization spectrum was obtained. One pulsed tunable dye laser was tuned to a transition originating from the ground state (460.73 nm) and another scanned over different spectral regions. The lines obtained were spectroscopically characterized as to the type of absorption process, which included non-resonant processes as well as single wavelength, two-wavelength, and two-photon resonant processes.With a maximum irradiance of 100 MW cm⁻², two-photon transitions resulting in collisionally assisted ionization included the 5sns and 5dnd Rydberg series (up to 37s and 15d) together with a strong auto-ionizing transition at 431.10 nm. The complexity of the observed ionization spectrum when the irradiance is high indicates that spectral interferences need to be carefully considered in analytical applications.     

ANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SPECTRAL ACTINIC FLUX and SPECTRAL IRRADIANCE IN THE MIDDLE ULTRAVIOLET

Abstract— We present an analytic characterization of upward and downward diffuse spectral irradiance for the wavelength range 280–380 nm, solar zenith angle range from 0 to 86, altitude range from 0 to 5 km and for non-zero surface albedo. This work is a modification and extension of the previous work of Green, Cross and Smith based upon the radiative transfer calculations of Braslau, Dave and Halpern. Guided by these irradiance systematics we develop an analytic characterization of diffuse spectral scalar irradiance or actinic flux also broken down into upward and downward components for the above wavelengths, solar zenith angles and altitudes, for non-zero surface albedo utilizing the actinic flux calculations of Peterson.     

Spectral Mismatch Effect of Ultraviolet Radiometers in Actual UV-C Measurement

The management of radiant exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in the wavelength range from 100 nm to 280 nm (i.e. UV-C), is important for virus inactivation or photobiological safety. Recently, many commercial UV radiometers have been used to measure UV-C irradiance for industrial and public applications. The accuracy of the four types of commercial UV radiometers was investigated by comparing the reference irradiance values obtained from the spectral irradiance standard. It was found that the displayed values of the UV radiometers have discrepancies, such that the measured value can be more than twice the actual value in a certain case. The spectral mismatch between the calibration and test sources is a major factor in the discrepancies in the UV-C measurements. With spectral mismatch correction, most corrected values show a tendency to improve the result to approaching the reference values within 20%. Users need to provide spectral information about the source and radiometer used for UV-C measurement.     

Sensitivity of biologically active UV radiation to stratospheric ozone changes: effects of action spectrum shape and wavelength ranges

Biological action spectra are commonly used to assess health and ecosystem responses to increases in spectral ultraviolet (UV) irradiances resulting from stratospheric ozone (O3) reductions. For each action spectrum, a normalized sensitivity coefficient (the radiation amplification factor [RAF]) can be calculated as the relative increase in biologically active UV irradiance for a given relative decrease in the atmospheric O3 column amount. We use a detailed radiative transfer model to calculate the dependence of RAF on the O3 column amount and the solar zenith angle (and, therefore, implicitly on latitude and season) for several commonly used action spectra. A simple analytical model is used to interpret the results in terms of the semilogarithmic slope of the action spectra in the UV-B and UV-A wavelength ranges. We also show that RAF may be overestimated substantially if the UV-A portion of an action spectrum is significant but is neglected. This is illustrated using several idealized action spectra as well as published action spectra for plant responses to UV irradiation. Generally, if the portion of an action spectrum measured longward of approximately 300 nm spans less than about two orders in magnitude in its sensitivity, significant errors in the estimated RAF may ensue, and the use of this action spectrum in O3-related studies can be compromised.     

A COMPARISON OF DOSIMETERS USED FOR SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIOMETRY

Radiometric measurements of terrestrial sunlight using three different types of broad-band dosimeters were compared with equivalent integrated quantities obtained from simultaneous spectroradiometric measurements. Measurements were made at Durham, UK (55 degrees N) during one day in mid-summer and one day in the autumn. By this means it was possible to encompass a wide range of ultraviolet irradiances. There was close agreement between UV-A irradiance measured using a broad-band radiometer and determined spectroradiometrically over the whole range of irradiances when allowance was made for the spectral sensitivity of the UV-A radiometer. The agreement between erythemally-effective irradiance determined spectroradiometrically and the response of a Robertson-Berger meter showed some non-linearity due to the mismatch between the erythema action spectrum and spectral response of the sensor. There was a similar disparity in agreement between erythemally-effective dose determined spectroradiometrically and the response of polysulphone film for similar reasons. Nevertheless it is concluded that if these latter two dosimeters are calibrated using sunlight, or a solar simulator, as the source, they can yield data which are sufficiently reliable for many applications.     

SPECTRAL ALBEDO MEASUREMENTS IN THE UV and VISIBLE REGION OVER DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFACES

Abstract— The spectral albedo of the earth's surface, i.e. the ratio between spectral irradiance reflected by the ground to all directions and global irradiance, was measured by a spectroradiometer in the UV and visible region from 290 nm to 800 nm with a spectral resolution of 1.5 nm at steps of 2 nm in the UV (290–400 nm) and 10 nm in the visible (400–800 nm) region. The measurements were performed over bare fertile soil, sand at the beach, concrete (autobahn) and snow as well as over different types of vegetation (grass, oats, rye, sugar-beet, stubble). As the albedo increases with increasing wavelengths for most types of surfaces considered, it is smaller in the UV than in the visible region. In the UVB region (λ < 315 nm) the measured albedo is as small as 0.016-0.017 over vegetation, 0.04-0.05 over bare fertile soil, 0.07-0.10 over concrete ("autobahn") and 0.62-0.76% over polluted snow with a small wavelength dependence. A somewhat higher albedo occurs in the UVA region (315 < λ < 400 nm) with values ranging from 0.02 over vegetation to 0.05 to 0.08 over bare soil. The albedo over dry bright sand, which is typically found at the beach, is significantly higher (0.14 at 300 nm to 0.24 at 400 nm) than over other snow-free surfaces, thus leading to an enhanced dose of biologically effective radiation at the beach.     

Spin-orbit electronic states of octahedral Pt-group d 6 complexes as derived from reflectance spectra and ligand field calculations

The 90 K diffuse reflectance spectra of some octahedral Rh(III), Ir(III) and Pt(IV) complex compounds with chloride, thiocyanate and amine ligands are reported. The spectra show in the visible and near ultraviolet distinct bands due to spin-orbit components of singlet-triplet d-d transitions which are explained by ligand field calculations including spin-orbit coupling considering all possible d-electron configurations. Model parameter sets are obtained by fitting the measured band peaks to possible transitions between calculated energy levels. For some of the bands the vibrational structure could be resolved which is assigned to metal-ligand stretching vibrations of the electronically excited complex octahedra with vibrational fundamentals lower than those of the ground state.     

THE MIDDLE ULTRAVIOLET REACHING THE GROUND*

Abstract— We present a semi-empirical analytic formula for calculating the direct, diffuse and global solar middle-ultraviolet radiation (280–340 nm) reaching the ground. The formula accommodates variations in wavelength, solar angle, ozone thickness, aerosol thickness, ground albedo, ground elevation, and cloudiness. Analytic representations of biological action spectra are also presented for use in calculations of effective dose at any time of day. Our purpose is to provide a basis for estimating approximate changes in middle-ultraviolet radiation levels reaching the ground caused by anthropogenic changes in the intervening atmosphere.     

ULTRAVIOLET DOSIMETRY IN OUTDOOR MEASUREMENTS BASED ON BACTERIOPHAGE T7 AS A BIOSENSOR

A simple method has been worked out for measuring the biologically effective dose (BED) of solar radiation The method uses phage T7 as a biosensor and it includes field measurements of global and direct UV radiation from the sun in the air; it has been applied to underwater measurements as well. Results of field measurements are presented with discussion of the angle-dependent sensitivity of the biosensor. A model of spectral irradiance based on the measured values is presented. Relevance of the H^T7 unit—derived earlier by us from T7 phage inactivation upon UV radiation—as a measure of the BED is also discussed.     

POTENTIAL ERRORS IN THE USE OF CELLULOSE DIACETATE AND MYLAR FILTERS IN UV-B RADIATION STUDIES

Abstract— The increase in UV-B radiation(290–320 nm) penetrating to the earth's surface as a result of the chemical depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is an important environmental concern. In most studies using artificial UV-B sources, the determination of enhanced UV-B radiation effects on plants relies on equivalent UV-A radiation(320–400 nm) from the experimental UV-B fluorescent lamp source, filtered with either cellulose diacetate (CA) to create UV-B treatments, or with type S Mylar or polyester (PE) to create controls (no UV-B). The spectral irradiance in the UV-A was measured in the dark below lamps at two daily UV-B irradiance levels (14.1 and 10.7 W m^-2) with CA and PE at two ages. Highly significant differences in UV-A radiation (P 0.01) were measured below the treatment/control pairs at both fluence rates and filter ages. Filter aging was observed, which reduced the UV-A irradiance, especially for PE. The total daily ambient UV-A irradiance was also determined in the glasshouse at three seasons: the fall equinox, summer and winter, from which the total daily UV-A (lamp + ambient) irradiances were calculated. The addition of low to moderate ambient irradiance removed the treatment/control differences in the longwave UV-A(350–400 nm); however, the treatment/contro1 differences remained in the shortwave UV-A(320–350 nm), which was restricted by the glass, and in the total UV-A. The treatment/control differences persisted in the shortwave UV-A for the higher irradiance level, even under high summer ambient light. Also, spectral ratios (UVB:UV-A and shortwave: longwave UV-A) for all treatment groups decreased as the ambient UV-A radiation increased. Therefore, a range of experimental conditions exist where PE-covered lamps do not provide adequate control for UV-A irradiance, relative to the CA treatment, for glasshouse/growth chamber experiments. Potential complications in the interpretation of plant response exist for UV-B experiments conducted under low ambient light conditions (e.g. growth chambers; glasshouse in winter) or high daily UV-B irradiances (e.g. 14 kJ m^-2) for those plant responses that are sensitive to UV-A radiation.     

MODEL FOR THE GLOBAL IRRADIANCE OF THE SOLAR BIOLOGICALLY-EFFECTIVE ULTRAVIOLET-RADIATION ON INCLINED SURFACES

The body surface area of man is the relevant receiving surface for solar UV radiation. To consider this body surface geometry, the biologically-effective UV radiation of the solar global radiation was measured. This was done at 26 differently aligned measuring points whose orientation was determined by the angle of inclination (vertical) and the azimuth (horizontal). Approximately eight hundred sets of measurement series were carried out at 33 different sites. A simple model, developed from the data obtained, made it possible to calculate relative irradiance as a function of the angle of inclination and the ground reflection (UV albedo). Thus relative risk of solar UV exposure to different regions of the body can be assessed. In addition to this, if the irradiance on a horizontal plane (measured or calculated by a corresponding model) is taken into consideration, the absolute values for UV irradiance on tilted planes can be determined.