Objective
The main aim of the research project is to obtain base-line data on the biologically effective solar UV B irradiance and its diurnal and seasonal variation. Biological weighting of the spectral irradiance will be achieved by using a biofilm which consists of immobilized bacterial spores as a UV-sensitive target. The first objective is to ensure the reliability of the biofilm as a biological dosimeter, indicative for DNA damaging efficiency of solar UV light. The second objective is to prove the reliability of the biofilm as field dosimeter to measure the biologically effective solar UV irradiance. The third objective is to initiate a continuous biological dosimetry of solar UV irradiance.
The work programme includes tasks as follows:
1. Development and implementation of a calibration system
A calibration system with a calibrated light source and a reference calibrated detector will be established in order to determine the absolute responsivity of the biofilms for each of their configurations. The characterization and calibration of the biofilm will include measurements of its total absolute responsivity to UVB, UVA and UVB plus UVA, its relative spectral response, its angular dependence, and the linearity of the dosimeter.
2. Set-up of the UV monitoring systems at the two selected sites
A UV monitoring system will be set up at IFU that determines the biologically effective UVB dose in two alternative, yet complimentary ways; (1) the biofilm technology that directly integrates the incident irradiance according to the DNA damaging effectiveness of the different photons applied simulteaneously and (2) spectroradiometry with application of biological weighting functions.
3. Intercomparison and intercalibration of the biological dosimetric system and spectroradiometric-based measurements
During two campaigns, on clear days, a direct dosimetric comparison of the biofilm responses and the spectroradiometric data will be performed at IFU.
4. Continuous monitoring of the biologically effective UVB dose
The continuous monitoring of solar UV-irradiance will be carried out during winter, spring and summer at the two sites, at IFU with the biofilm plus spectroradiometer and at DLR with the biofilm. Biofilms will be exposed for defined periods of times between 4 to 30 days depending on solar zenith angle.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
51140 Köln
Germany