Ozone depletion, ultraviolet-b and the tropics

Abstract

Solar ultraviolet radiation. (UV) measurements were used to establish the cloud cover effect on the incoming solar ultraviolet radiation. This, together with long term global cloud cover data is used to evaluate the annual ultraviolet-B radiation received at the surface under unperturbed (present) ozone level conditions at the tropical latitudes as well as the relative latitudinal increase in UV-B dosage for a certain depletion in the ozone layer. It is found that, in absolute terms, at the tropical latitudes the increase due to a 10% ozone depletion alone will be more than the total radiation input at the high latitudes. Therefore, the protection of ozone layer is very important from tropical perspective. The paper discusses these aspects together with specific health problems enchanced by the presence of high UV radiation levels.