Open AccessUltraviolet radiation levels over Bulgarian high mountains
Author(s) -
R. Werner,
V. Guineva,
A. Atanassov,
Dimitar Valev,
Dimitar Danov,
Boyan Petkov,
A. S. Kirillov
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
aerospace research in bulgaria
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2367-9522
pISSN - 1313-0927
DOI - 10.3897/arb.v33.e03
Subject(s) - environmental science , snow , atmospheric sciences , polar vortex , ultraviolet radiation , sky , ozone , meteorology , physical geography , geography , geology , chemistry , radiochemistry
The UV-index (UVI) is a measure of the erythemally effective solar radiation reaching the Earth surface and it was introduced to alert people about the need of Sun protection. The present study applies a model that estimates the UVI over the high Bulgarian mountains for clear sky conditions considering the Total Ozone Content (TOC), which was taken from satellite measurements. The results show that during the periods from May to August at altitudes above 2 000 m a.s.l. very high UVI's (greater than 8) were observed for more than 18 days per month. The UVI values were very high practically for every day of July at altitudes higher than 1 500 m. Extremely high UVI result from episodes with TOC lower than 290 DU during June and July at the highest mountain parts with elevations greater than 2 500 m. High radiation risks were observed during April, especially when the preceding polar vortex was strong and the mountains were snow covered.