MONITORING AND FORECASTING THE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION OF THE SUN

Bulgarian Geophysical Journal, 2020, Vol. 43, DOI: https://doi.org/10.34975/BGJ-2020.43.3
Plamen Mukhtarov, Nikolay Miloshev, Georgi Gadzhev, Rumiana Bojilova

Abstract:
This article presents information about the importance of biologically active ultraviolet radiation from the Sun (UV-B), which is the subject of long-term (2011- 2019) monitoring at the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Information on the technique, the units of measurement and the summarized characteristics of the diurnal and seasonal course of UV-B are presented. On the basis of simple physical concepts of absorption of UV- radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere is proposed an empirical model for forecasting its integral value, depending on the daily weather and season. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, a method for real-time notification of the permissible stay in the sun has been developed. In conclusion, the information on UV-index, which is provided on the website of the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is described in detail.

Keywords:
Solar ultraviolet radiation, UV-index, monitoring, empirical modelling

Acknowledgements:
The present work is supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science under the National Research Programme “Young scientists and postdoctoral students” approved by DCM № 577/ 17.08.2018.
The presentation of the results is financed by Contract No D01-282/17.12.2019 – Project “National Geoinformation Center (NGIC)” funded by the National Roadmap for Scientific Infrastructure 2017-2023 of Bulgaria.
This work has been carried out in the framework of the National Science Program “Environmental Protection and Reduction of Risks of Adverse Events and Natural Disasters”, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers № 577/17.08.2018 and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of Bulgaria (Agreement № Д01-322/18.12.2019).

Author information:
Author: Plamen Mukhtarov
E-mail: engpjm@abv.bg
Affiliation: National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS, str. Acad. G. Bonchev, bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Author: Nikolay Miloshev
E-mail: miloshev@geophys.bas.bg
Affiliation: National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS, str. Acad. G. Bonchev, bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Author: Georgi Gadzhev
E-mail: ggadjev@geophys.bas.bg
Affiliation: National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS, str. Acad. G. Bonchev, bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Author: Rumiana Bojilova
E-mail: rbojilova@geophys.bas.bg
Affiliation: National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS, str. Acad. G. Bonchev, bl. 3, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

How to cite:
Mukhtarov, P., Miloshev, N., Gadzhev, G., & Bojilova, R. (2020). Monitoring and forecasting the biologically active ultraviolet radiation of the Sun. Bulgarian Geophysical Journal, Vol. 43, p. 31-42. https://doi.org/10.34975/BGJ-2020.43.3