Ultraviolet Radiation in the Arctic

• Main Authors: Germar Bernhard, John Frederick
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: Arctic Data Center 2009
• Subjects: EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION > ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION; EARTH REMOTE SENSING INSTRUMENTS > PASSIVE REMOTE SENSING > SPECTROMETERS/RADIOMETERS > SPECTROMETERS > UV OZONE DETECTORS > ULTRAVIOLET OZONE DETECTORS; AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVING SYSTEM; AON; Arctic; Greenland; albedo; Antarc*; Antarctica; Barrow; Ultraviolet Radiation in the Arctic; Ultraviolet Radiation in the Arctic: 2012-2015; Alaska
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/urn:uuid:df39be42-e348-4b59-8d86-29418883d805

In 1987, responding to serious ozone depletion reported in Antarctica, the National Science Foundation established a network of instruments to observe solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation at high latitudes. The network eventually grew to seven sites including two Arctic locations at Barrow, Alaska (71° 19’ N), and Summit, Greenland (72° 34’ N). Data available through ACADIS include measurements of UV radiation and related data products from Barrow starting in 1991 and from Summit starting in 2004. Effective 1-August 2009, the two sites were integrated into NSF’s Arctic Observing Network as part of the NSF AON projects “Ultraviolet Radiation in the Arctic” and, since 2012, “Ultraviolet Radiation in the Arctic: 2012-2015.” Data include spectra of solar spectral irradiance between 280 and 600 nm, biologically effective dose-rates, total ozone, surface albedo, and cloud optical depth. The long time-series provides a unique opportunity to study the effect of a changing environment on UV radiation. Measurements at Summit are ideally suited to probe the free troposphere and study the effects of long-range transport of pollutants and aerosols on UV radiation. Data can also be used for validation of satellite observations, verification of models describing the transfer of radiation through the atmosphere, advancement of climate models, and addressing the SEARCH question whether the Arctic is moving to a new state.