Time series of biologically active UV-B radiation observed at sites in Brazil, and at La Paz, Bolívia and Punta Arenas, Chile, are presented. With the ozone depletion occurring in the earth's atmosphere, increases of UV-B radiation are expected. Since 1991, the National Institute for Space Research- INPE, has been acquiring data on biologically active solar UV radiation (Erythemal UV), at ground level. A network of radiometers to measure UV-B radiation has been used. The seasonal variations and an average UV-Index calculation is presented. The regions of La Paz, Campo Grande and Natal have the higher UV-B intensities. The UV-B radiation presented a dependency with geographical latitude and altitude, as expected. The UV-Index for summer was close to 15 at La Paz and above 12 for Campo Grande and Natal. The experiment to measure UV-B diffuse radiation showed that diffuse radiation is at least 45% of global radiation in the Erythemal UV-B radiation range.
Solar ultraviolet radiation; UV-B; Atmosphere; Erythema; UV-Biometer
