Efecto de las nubes y los aerosoles sobre la radiación solar ultravioleta espectral

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most energetic among all extraterrestrial sources that reach the Earth, being able to cause multiple effects on live beings inhabiting it. There are numerous factors controlling the amount of radiation reaching, as well as the way it hits the Earth’s surface. In this study, the effect of two of the main UV radiation modulators, clouds and aerosols, which can absorb or scatter radiation; is analyzed. There are simulated data for clear sky conditions at our disposal, obtained by LibRadtran radiative transference model. They are validated, in the first place, proving that they are an accurate approximation to experimental data measured on cloud-free sky days. Once their usefulness is certified, cloud and aerosol enhancing or attenuating effect over spectral UV radiation is quantified in the solar UV wavelength range. For this purpose, a cloud characteristic parameter, CMF (Cloud Modification Factor), is calculated as a function of sky cloudiness and solar zenith angle (SZA), while a similar procedure is followed with an aerosol parameter, AMF (Aerosol Modification Factor), calculated as a function of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and SZA.