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MEAN ANNUAL UV-B IRRADIANCE
Description:
Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is the most energetic part of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface (wavelength region is 280 to 315 nm), and it has been shown to have important effects on ecosystem health. Chemical depletion of stratospheric ozone, which can be caused by reactions involving halogenated compounds (chlorofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, etc.) and nitrogen oxides that are being released by human activities into the atmosphere. The evaluation of the biological effects of UV-B exposure also requires action spectra. Action spectra have been measured for a variety of effects, ranging from skin cancer, ocular effects, and immunological effects on human beings to physiological and biogeochemical effects (photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, etc.) on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Madronich et al. 1995). The ecological effects of UV-B are not well understood.