engleski

Total ozone and UV-B radiation over Croatia

The significant role and importance of ultraviolet radiation and ozone for life on Earth initiated some researches and measurements of these parameters in The Republic Croatia at the end of the 20th century. In the lack of surface-based instruments for total ozone, zonaly averaged satellite data were analysed for latitudes 40-50°N. The data show a negative trend with the highest value in February (over 4% per decade) and the lowest value in September and October (slightly over 1% per decade). Zonaly averaged total ozone was 10 DU lower in the last decade of the 20th century than the decade before. The Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Croatia has performed measurements of UV-B radiation with narrowband instruments in Opatija since 1997 and in Umag since 1999. The analysed data show a positive trend in UV-B radiation during the period. The highest values were found in June and July. Daily sums reached 5000 J/m2 and hourly maxima were over 900 J/m2. These amounts show a high level of dangerous UV radiation at midday in these months and we should be very careful during this period to avoid all harmful effects like skin cancer, eye damage and immunosuppression.

Total ozone; UV-B radiant exposure; Health effects; instruments; satellites

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