A DOSIMETRIC TECHNIQUE FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION EXPOSURE TO PLANTS

Abstract Due to the effects of geometry, orientation, atmospheric conditions and optical properties of leaves and soils, the UV exposure to a plant may differ significantly from that of ambient radiation. This paper presents a method utilizing a passive measuring technique with polysulfone dosimeters that provides the ability of measuring the UV exposure at a number of sites simultaneously. The UV exposures are measured at selected sites over models of three canopy shapes with a computer program interpolating and summing these to provide the total UV exposure incident on the canopy.     

ULTRAVIOLET SOLAR RADIATION IN THE HIGH LATITUDES OF SOUTH AMERICA

Abstract Measurements of the UV solar irradiance are available from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego during the spring and summer seasons of 4 consecutive years beginning in 1989. In addition, column ozone amounts derived from satellite-based measurements exist for this location over the entire period from 1980 through 1991. Monthly mean column ozone over Ushuaia shows a general decline over the observing period, and a large day-to-day variability exists within a given month. Ozone amounts for the years 1980 through 1986 combined with a model of radiative transfer provide a climatological baseline against which to interpret the more recent ground-based irradiance data. We focus on monthly mean noontime irradiances integrated over 5 nm wide spectral bands near 305 nm and 340 nm, respectively. Measurements in the 340 nm band show that cloudiness has a large influence on both the absolute monthly mean irradiances and their interannual variability. For example, during December the 340 nm band irradiance varied from approximately 50% of the clear-sky value in 1992 to 65% in 1991. When the influence of cloudiness is removed, most of the months show irradiances in the 305 nm band that are larger than predicted from the climatological ozone amounts. The largest percentage enhancement occurred in October 1991 when the irradiance exceeded the baseline by 56%. The largest absolute irradiances occur in December, where the measurements range from 5.8% below the baseline in 1991 to 31% above in 1990.     

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.     

A CALORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE QUANTUM YIELD FOR THE JONIZATION OF MALACHITE GREEN CYANIDE BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract The quantum yield for the conversion of malachite green cyanide (MGL) to the oxidized form MG⁺ has been measured over the wavelength range from 225 to 289 nm using a total absorption aluminium calorimeter to measure the flux of photons. The number of molecules of MGL converted was determined from the increase in absorbance of the solution at 622 nm. MG⁺ was found to have a maximum extinction coefficient of 10.63 × 10⁴ at 622 nm. The quantum yield for the conversion of MGL to MG⁺ is constant over the wavelength range with a value of 0.91 ± 0.01. The use of MGL as an actinometer for photochemical studies is described.     

AVERAGE LATITUDINAL VARIATION IN ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT THE EARTH''S SURFACE

Abstract— Tabulated values are presented for ultraviolet radiation at the earth's surface as a function of wavelength, latitude, and season, for clear sky and seasonally and latitudinally averaged ozone amounts. These tabulations can be combined with any biological sensitivity function in order to obtain the seasonal and latitudinal variation of the corresponding effective doses. The integrated dosages, based on the erythemal sensitivity curve and on the Robertson-Berger sunburn-meter sensitivity curve, have also been calculated, and these are found to vary with latitude and season in very nearly the same way as 307 and 314 nm radiation, respectively.     

A CLIMATOLOGY OF SUNBURNING ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract— Data are presented from 14 sites where continuous measurements of the sun's shortest ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface have been made for four or more years. Average daily dose per month and its variability from year to year is shown for each station. Some of the many influences affecting these measurements can be discerned by station intercomparisons. No consistent long term change in solar UV-B radiation reaching the ground is evident.     

SOME PROBLEMS IN THE ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF GERMICIDAL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION: THE USE OF ''PEN RAY'' LAMPS AS A CALIBRATION STANDARD

Abstract— Problems of absolute measurement of the dose rate of ultraviolet radiation of germicidal lamps in energetic units were studied. Irradiance at 254 nm generated by three different Pen Ray SC-1 low-pressure mercury lamps was measured independently in different laboratories using different instruments: (a) Westinghouse SM-600 Meter, (b) General Electric Germicidal Meter, and (c) large-surface thermopile with a Bäckström filter. These lamps were then used as secondary standards of absolute irradiance at wavelength 254 nm and compared with the Latarjet dosimeter and the International Light IL-254 Germicidal Photometer. Mutual agreement of calibration coefficients of three calibrated Pen Ray SC-1 lamps was roughly within ±5 per cent error. This calibration uncertainty indicates limits of the usefulness of Pen Ray lamps as standards. A direct radiometric calibration using an FT-16 Schwarz-Hilger vacuum thermopile, with interference filter NB-254 or UVR-250, was in agreement with the above comparison. On the basis of above radiometric calibration absolute D₃₇ lethal doses were determined equaling 2·7. J/m² for the bacteriophage T2 and 11·0 J/m² for the bacteriophage φX-174, the values being read from exponential survival curves.     

INACTIVATION BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS OF THE RNA ISOLATED FROM POTATO VIRUS X

Abstract— –The action spectra and quantum yields for photoreactivable, non-photoreactivable and total damage caused by u.v. in the RNA isolated from potato virus X differ from those for similar types of damage in the whole virus. The differences result from the virus protein partly protecting the RNA from damage, and the degree of protection depends on the wavelength of u.v. and on the salt concentration of the irradiated solution. The action spectra for the different types of damage in the RNA all resemble the absorption spectrum of the RNA, but do not exactly parallel it. The photoreactivable sectors of the RNA and of the whole virus are greater at 290 nm than at 230 nm but, whereas that of the virus increases rectilinearly, that of the RNA has a pronounced minimum at about 250 nm. At wavelengths longer than 240 nm, the photoreactivable sector of the virus exceeds that of the RNA, because, at these wavelengths, the virus protein protects the RNA more against non-photoreactivable damage than against photoreactivable damage.     

THE INACTIVATION OF RIBONUCLEIC ACID FROM TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT DIFFERENT WAVE-LENGTHS

Abstract— Although both thymine and uracil can form similar dimers, exposing RNA of tobacco mosaic virus lo ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths did not reproduce any of the phenomena that implicate dimerization of thymine residues as a major cause of the inactivation of a bacterial transforming DNA. If uracil residues dimerize at all in the irradiated RNA, such dimerization either does not affect infectivity or is not photoreversible in the same way as dirnerization of thymine residues in DNA. Unlike inactivation of the transforming DNA, inactivation of the virus-RNA seems to be a function of the amount of absorbed radiation energy, irrespective of the wave-length within the range 285 to 230 mμ and irrespective of a change in the wave-length during irradiation.     

THE OCULAR DOSE OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FROM SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE

Abstract— The ocular toxicity of ultraviolet radiation has been demonstrated in acute photokeratitis and is suspected of contributing to cataractogenesis and senile macular degeneration. While previous studies have emphasized photochemical and epidemiologic aspects of ocular UV-B irradiation, little is known about the extent of such exposure in human subjects. To determine levels of ocular UV-B exposure from sunlight, four mannikin headforms were fitted with UV-B sensitive film (polysulphone) and exposed on an unobstructed rooftop (Baltimore, Md.: latitude = 39.5 degrees) to four hours of sunlight (11 am-3 pm local time) over a three month period (June-August). Simultaneous measurements of ocular and ambient exposure revealed a ratio of 19.5 ± 2.9% that was independent of ambient level (P < 0.05). Measurements performed during earlier hours (8 am-11 am) revealed a similar ratio. Mannikin headforms fitted with brimmed baseball caps showed a22–95% reduction in ocular exposure, depending on the angle of the hat brim to the forehead. Three sets of spectacles substantially reduced ocular UV-B exposure,62–94% dependent on the absorption properties of the spectacle lenses. These anthropomorphic measurements indicate that a substantial percentage of ambient UV-B light is incident upon the cornea and that personal factors, such as wearing a hat or spectacles, can markedly affect UV-B exposure.     

THE VASCULAR RESPONSE OF HUMAN SKIN TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

The vascular response of human skin to 300 nm (UV-B) and 254 nm (UV-C) ultraviolet radiation was assessed using the reflectance measurement of erythema and the technique of laser Doppler velocimetry. For both wavelengths, the increase in measured Doppler blood flux varied with the increase in erythema in a quadratic manner predicted by a simple model based on the principles of fluid mechanics. This suggests that the mean red blood cell velocity increases significantly in areas of UV-B and UV-C erythema. No qualitative difference in response to these two wavelengths was demonstrated, suggesting that the same blood vessels are involved in the causation of both UV-B and UV-C erythema.     

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.     

THE DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP OF TUMORIGENESIS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION OF 254 nm

Abstract— Groups of albino hairless mice, Skh-hrl, were exposed daily to UVC radiation from low pressure Hg arcs (Philips TUV 40W). These lamps emit predominantly radiation of 254 nm. Three groups of animals were used in the experiments, each receiving a different daily dose.
The results were described with the Weibull probability function. As in earlier studies with UVB. the tumor induction time was proportional to a power of the daily dose. The exponent turned out to be as low as -0.2. This implies that the induction time varied only a little with the daily dose. The average number of tumors per animal was proportional to a power of time. A sample of 73 tumors of at least 4 mm in diameter were investigated histologically. The large majority were classified as squamous cell carcinomas.
A comparison was made with the results of an earlier reported experiment with Westinghouse FS40 sunlamps. Throughout the whole range of daily doses used in the present experiment, UVC was less carcinogenic than UVB. An intriguing difference between the two types of radiation was that the tumors induced by UVC appeared much more scattered over the irradiated parts of the animals than the UVB-induced tumors.     

THE ROLE OF SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN 'NATURAL' WATER PURIFICATION

Abstract— The concentration of Escherichia coli in the input and output of a tertiary wastewater system (4 lagoons) has been monitored over an 11 month period. The integrated flux of biologically active solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation was measured during this period. By also determining (1) the effective temperature in the system, (2) the growth rate of E. coli at the effective temperature, (3) the penetration of the solar UV into the lagoons, (4) the dose-response relation for killing of E. coli by UV and (5) the retention time of water in the system, it is possible to compare the 'die off' expected from solar UV exposure to the actual 'die off' observed for different batches of water.
The observed killing of E. coli was quite close to the values calculated, considering the numerous factors involved. Solar UV light would thus seem to be a very important factor in the natural purification of water. Because each successful species must possess characteristics (physiological or behavioral) which provide adequate resistance to solar UV, the ecological role of solar UV radiation has not been widely appreciated.     

THE ACTION OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON THE CELL PROLIFERATION OF TWO-CELL MOUSE EMBRYOS

Abstract— The two-cell mouse embryo has a unique cell cycle of a short DNA synthesis (S) phase and an extremely long post-DNA synthesis (G₂) phase. An attempt was made to investigate the radiation biology of the long G₂ phase using UV radiation as a probe. Two cell mouse embryos, at various positions in the cell cycle, were UV-irradiated in phosphate-buffered saline. The embryos were cultured for a few hours to 3 days to assay for their cell proliferative characteristics. The embryos were most sensitive to the killing action of UV radiation in the late G₂ phase. The embryos divided more than two times after low UV fluences before dying and experienced G₂ phase delays.
These results can be contrasted to the situation in somatic cells, in which the action of UV radiation is S phase selective. One possibility is that the target for the action of UV radiation is different in two-cell mouse embryos from that in somatic cells and that the target is similar to that for X-ray effects.     

SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN SOUTHEAST ENGLAND: THE CASE FOR SPECTRAL MEASUREMENTS

Spectral measurements of the solar ultraviolet spectrum have been made at Reading, England, since July 1989. The data presented show the daily and annual changes in the ultraviolet-B (UV-B) part of the spectrum, and illustrate the dominance of the longer wavelengths in grouping the data into a single broadband measurement. The temporal changes (diurnal and annual) cover 2 orders of magnitude at 300 nm, and a factor of 5 at 320 nm. In a single statement of UV-B levels the trend at longer wavelengths predominates, hiding the larger differences at the more biologically important wavelengths. However, the data also show that at mid-high latitudes the UV irradiance at noon in winter is less than that received at any time during the middle 12 h of daylight in summer, and this should be acknowledged when assessing the consequences of ozone depletion. Atmospheric scattering of short wavelength radiation is compared to that of the entire solar spectrum from measurements of diffuse radiation: on a clear day70–100% of UV-B was diffuse in Reading, with a slight wavelength dependency increasing diffuse radiation at short wavelengths. Under the same conditions scattering of total solar radiation was 21%. The effect of cloud cover is briefly discussed for two specific cases of complete, uniform cloud cover, when attenuation by clouds was approx. 40 and 68%, with little wavelength dependence in either case.     

EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON THE ENERGY METABOLISM OF THE CORNEAL EPITHELIUM OF THE RABBIT

The present research was directed at quantifying possible alterations in corneal epithelial metabolic activity secondary to in vivo exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Microfluorometric energy metabolite assays on microgram (microgram) sized, freeze-dried tissue samples were used as an in vitro means of assessing overall metabolic activity in the epithelium of control rabbit corneas and in the epithelium of UVR-exposed rabbit corneas 2 min after discontinuation of exposure. The specific assays were for glucose, glycogen, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and phosphocreatine (PCr). The radiant exposures were kept constant at 0.05 J cm-2 for all UVR wavelengths utilized (290, 300, 310 and 360 nm). Experimental UVR exposure conditions served to increase epithelial glucose and glycogen concentrations. Although the epithelial ATP concentrations were unchanged, the epithelial PCr concentrations (a high energy phosphate bond reservoir) decreased as a result of UVR exposure. Overall, the data demonstrate a decrease in corneal epithelial metabolic activity, which may be wavelength-dependent, as a result of UVR exposure. It is suggested that immediate metabolic stress can be responsible for the pattern of epithelial cell loss seen in photokeratitis.