Polysulphone film as an underwater dosimeter for solar ultraviolet-B radiation in tropical latitudes

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 189:53-63 (1999) - doi:10.3354/meps189053 Polysulphone film as an underwater dosimeter for solar ultraviolet-B radiation in tropical latitudes Richard P. Dunne* Department of Marine Science and Coastal Management, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK *E-mail: 101515.1267@compuserve.com ABSTRACT: This paper examines the potential of polysulphone film (PSF) as a dosimeter for unweighted solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB; 280 to 320 nm) in different seawater conditions in tropical latitudes. PSF's accuracy is determined by water type and depth range. The film may be used over a depth range of 7 m with measurement errors of less than 5% in oceanic type waters, such as are found around coral atolls and islands. In clear but coloured continental coastal waters the range decreases to 2.2 m. Calibration functions are presented for use of the film both in air (e.g. an intertidal setting) and underwater over the UVB dose range of about 1.5 to 40 kJ m-2. A comprehensive analysis of errors arising from the use of PSF film, in air and underwater, is given. The film offers a cost-effective and simple technique for studying biological responses to solar UVB radiation in many tropical marine habitats, including intertidal and subtidal coral reefs. KEY WORDS: Solar UVB · Dosimeter Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 189. Publication date: November 26, 1999 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1999 Inter-Research.