UVER and UV index at high altitude in Northwestern Argentina

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2016 Oct:163:290-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.08.012. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

Abstract

Measurements of ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER) made during two years at three sites located at altitudes over 1000ma.s.l. in Northwestern Argentina (Salta, San Carlos, and El Rosal) have been used to estimate and analyze the UV Index (UVI) and the cumulative doses at these locations. For the UVER irradiance, data of January (maximum values) and June (minimum values) have been analyzed as representative of the year for all locations. The UVI reaches extreme (>11) values in >20% of the analyzed days in Salta (1190ma.s.l.), while these are reached in San Carlos (1611ma.s.l.) and El Rosal (3355ma.s.l.) in >40% of the analyzed days. Finally, the cumulative doses over an average year have also been studied for each location. The doses received during austral summer and autumn are of the same order, and represent one third of the annual dose, while the doses received during austral winter and spring represent one sixth of the annual dose approximately.

Keywords: Cumulative doses; High altitude; Southern hemisphere; Ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER); Ultraviolet index (UVI).

MeSH terms

  • Altitude*
  • Argentina
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Monitoring*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*