UV irradiance and albedo at Union Glacier Camp (Antarctica): a case study
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLOS)
Abstract
We report on the first spectral measurements of ultraviolet (UV) irradiance and the albedo at a Camp located in the southern
Ellsworth Mountains on the broad expanse of Union Glacier (700 m altitude, 79u 469 S; 82u 529W); about 1,000 km from the
South Pole. The measurements were carried out by using a double monochromator-based spectroradiometer during a
campaign (in December 2012) meant to weight up the effect of the local albedo on the UV irradiance. We found that the
albedo measured at noon was about 0.95 in the UV and the visible part of the spectrum. This high surface reflectivity led to
enhancements in the UV index under cloudless conditions of about 50% in comparison with snow free surfaces. Spectral
measurements carried out elsewhere as well as estimates retrieved from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) were used
for further comparisons.
Description
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Keywords
Ciencia, Albedo, Irradiancia ultravioleta
Citation
PLoS ONE 9(3): e90705. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090705