Electron density and temperature measurements, and abundance anomalies in the solar atmosphere

Using spectra obtained from the SUMER (Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Em itted Radiation) spectrograph on the spacecraft SOHO (Solar and Heliospheri c Observatory), we investigate the height dependence of electron density, t emperature and abundance anomalies in the solar atmosphere. In particular, we present the behaviour of the solar FIP effect (the abundance enhancement of elements with first ionization potential < 10 eV in the corona with res pect to photospheric values) with height above an active region observed at the solar limb, with emphasis on the so-called transition region lines.