THE SOLAR UV-RADIATION ENVIRONMENT - MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES AND RESULTS

The Australian Radiation Laboratory (ARL) has been involved for many y ears in the measurement of solar UV radiation (UVR) using spectroradio meters and a network of broad-band detectors at 16 sites in Australia and Antarctica. Measurement locations range from tropical to polar and , as a result, there are many difficulties associated with the mainten ance and calibration of the network to ensure an accurate and reliable data collection. Calibration procedures for the various detectors inv olve comparison with simultaneous spectral measurements obtained using a portable spectroradiometer incorporating a double monochromator, ca librated against traceable standard lamps. Detector-datalogger systems are also intercompared at the Yallambie site for a number of months b efore installation at another site. As an additional check on the cali brations, computer models of solar UVR at the earth's surface for days with clear sky and known ozone values are compared with the UV radiom eter measurements. The use of chemical, biological and solid state per sonal UVR dosimeters is discussed and some measurement results are pre sented.