Erythema UV-B exposure near the Antarctic Peninsula and comparison with anequatorial site

Observations of UV-B radiation in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula are d escribed, with the objective to obtain an evaluation of the UV-B enhancemen ts observed during ozone hole episodes, and compare these with equatorial v alues. The enhancements observed during Southern Hemisphere spring are desc ribed in terms of a specific case of enhancement, at the Antarctic peninsul a, which has shown a maximum UV-B index of 8.7, in October 1998. The averag e enhancement between the autumn-unperturbed and spring-perturbed periods r esults in an UV-B index of 5.4. but with large fluctuations in which much l arger indices are produced. These values are compared to indices normally o bserved in the equatorial region. For measurements obtained with the same k ind of instrument at Natal (5.8 degreesS, 35.2 degreesW), the UV-B index va ries between 7 and 14, which means that enhanced UV-B indices in the Antarc tic Peninsula may become of the same order of magnitude of the lower limit equatorial values. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY All rights reserved.