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Wednesday, December 25, 2024
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UV Radiation in Global Climate Change: Measurements,Modeling and Effects on Ecosystems |
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Author(s): Wei Gao, Danil L.Schmoldt |
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Publisher: Springer
Published Date: 2009
ISBN: 9787302203605
Pages: 544
Language: English
Type: Atlas
Cover: Hard Cover
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Our Price: $175.00
Avail: In-Stock |
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Description
Over the past three decades, the scientific community has realized the urgency of obtaining a better understanding of the interaction between the earth's atmosphere/biosphere and the sun's radiant energy. Most of the research has focused on the radiant energy balances in the solar and infrared regions of the spectrum, and the way these energy flows affect the climate. During this same time frame, in a related arena, a smaller group of dedicated individuals has concentrated on the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation as it affects the overall welfare of the planet.Although comprising only a small fraction of the radiation balance that may play a role in global climate change over the next centuries, UV radiation has the capacity to cause direct and more immediate harm to virtually all living organisms and especially to human health. Cumulative high doses of UV radiation areconsidered a major causal factor in the development of skin cancer and cataracts.Ultraviolet radiation can weaken the human immune system, and can also affect crop production and ocean bio-productivity. Concerns about the increased levels of UV-B radiation reaching the earth's surface have led to the development of ground- and space-based measurement programs to provide long-term records of its levels. Accurate long-term measurements are difficult to obtain, especially when limited to the bandwidth regions that contain the most harmful solar photons. A core of concerned scientists from across the globe realizes that much work is needed in quantifying the harmful radiation levels and defining their adverse effects. In assessing the effects of UV-B radiation, it is important to realize the complexity of the interactions of living organisms that cause adverse responses with radiant energy directly, as well as in combination with other climate stressors, such as drought,increased temperatures, and CO2.
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