Variability in Near-Surface Ultraviolet Radiation and Its Dependence on Atmospheric Parameters

Authors: Yusuff Idowu Moshood, Sanni Mohammed

Abstract:

Natural radiations such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation sourced from sun are known to be the main causes of skin cancer, sunburn, eye damage, premature aging of skin and other skin related diseases. Its percentage of radiation reaching the earth populace and its impacts are not well known. Its variability in near-surface relating to its impacts on populace depends on some atmospheric parameters. Hence, this work was embarked on to determine the variability in near-surface UV radiation and its dependency on some atmospheric parameters at different time of the day in Offa, Nigeria. The variability was determined using the data obtained from meteorological garden, Science Laboratory Technology Department, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Nigeria. The data obtained were solar UV radiation, solar radiation, temperature, humidity and pressure at 30 minutes interval. Relationships were determined and correlations were derived using SPSS Pearson Correlation tool. The results showed a significant level of correlation with p-value of 0.01 and 0.05 levels. Thus, the results revealed some good relationships between the solar UV radiation and other atmospheric parameters with significance level less than p-value obtained. Inferentially, interdependent relationships were found to exist. Therefore, the nature of relationship obtained could be a yardstick for decision making in short term environmental planning on solar UV radiation depending of some atmospheric parameters within Offa locality.

Keywords: Correlation, inferential, radiation, yardstick.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1314813

References:

[1] Brian Dunbar. “Solar Spectral Irradiance: Air Mass 1.5” National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Missionscience Http://Missionscience.Nasa.Gov. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
[2] Haigh, Joanna D. (2007). "The Sun and the Earth's Climate: Absorption of solar spectral radiation by the atmosphere". Living Reviews in Solar Physics. 4 (2). Retrieved July 12, 2014.
[3] James Bolton and Christine Colton (2008). “The Ultraviolet Disinfection Handbook”. American Water Works Association, 2008 ISBN 978 1 58321 584 5, pp. 3-4
[4] University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Beat (2014). “The Difference between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays”. Cancer Care and Safety Center, Wednesday July 30th, 2014. Last updated June 13th, 2016. www.UPMCCancerCenter.Com
[5] World Health Organization (2008) “Health and Environmental effects of ultraviolet radiation”. Environmental health criteria. 160: Ultraviolet radiation Geneva.