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The spectral distribution of biologically active solar radiation at Miami, Florida, USA

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Abstract

The spectral distribution of solar radiation was studied under different sky conditions during a 15-month period in Miami, Florida (USA), and over a latitudinal gradient at solar maximum. Spectroradiometric scans were characterized for total irradiance (300–3000 nm) and the relative energetic and photon contributions of the following wavelength regions: UV-B (300–320 nm); UV-A (320–400 nm); B (400–500 nm); PAR (400–700 nm); R (600–700 nm); and FR (728–732 nm). Notable results include: (i) significantly higher UV-A energy fluxes than currently in use for laboratory experiments involving the biological effects of this band-width (values ranged from 33.6 to 55.4 W/m2 in Miami over the year); (ii) marked diurnal shifts in B:R and R:FR, with elevated R:FR values in early morning: (iii) a strong correlation between R:FR and atmospheric water content; and (iv) unusually high PAR values under direct sunlight with cloudy skies (2484 μmol/2 per s).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, University Park, 33199, Miami, FL, USA

    David W. Lee & Kelsey R. Downum

  2. Fairchild Tropical Garden, 33156, Miami, FL, USA

    David W. Lee & Kelsey R. Downum

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  1. David W. Lee
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  2. Kelsey R. Downum
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Lee, D.W., Downum, K.R. The spectral distribution of biologically active solar radiation at Miami, Florida, USA. Int J Biometeorol 35, 48–54 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01040963

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01040963

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