A Model for the Assessment of the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Phytoplankton in Antarctic Waters

由于臭氧层厚度减少，紫外线辐射增加，海洋上层的海洋生物可能会受到威胁。对海洋浮游植物的潜在危害是基于中紫外线(MUV，280-340 nm)可以穿透到自然水域中具有重要生态意义的深度的知识，以及MUV可能对浮游植物种群产生不利影响的可能性。紫外线增加对就地浮游植物的直接影响还没有被估计，尽管这是对潜在影响的唯一充分衡量。这项研究将在现有大气和海洋紫外线模型的基础上，以TOMS臭氧数据为输入，对影响紫外线穿透天然水域的因素进行敏感性分析。此外，该项目将侧重于设备开发，对现有的(和过时的)用于南极的紫外线潜式光谱辐射计进行改装或重新设计。模型和设备的开发是检验浮游植物和水生食物网其他随后受到影响的组成部分受到臭氧减少危害的假设之前必要的重要步骤。

Marine life in the upper layers of the sea may be endangered by increased UV radiation resulting from reduction in the thickness of the ozone layer. The potential hazard to marine phytoplankton is based upon the knowledge that middle ultraviolet radiation (MUV, 280-340 nm) can penetrate to ecologically significant depths in natural waters and the possibility that MUV may have adverse effects on phytoplankton populations. The direct effects of increased UV on in-situ phytoplankton have not been estimated, although this is the only adequate measure of the potential impact. This research will make a sensitivity analysis of factors influencing the penetration of UV into natural waters based upon existing UV models for the atmosphere and ocean and using TOMS ozone data as input. In addition, this project will focus on equipment development, with a modification or redesign of the existing (and outmoded) ultraviolet submersible spectroradiometer for use in the Antarctic. The model and equipment development are a major step necessary prior to the testing of the hypothesis that phytoplankton, and other subsequently impacted components of the aquatic food web, are endangered by ozone diminution.