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Estimates of atmospheric attenuation of solar radiation at specific wave lengths

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Abstract

The Bougner-Lambert law for the attenuation of solar energy was examined for selected wave bands in the visible portion of the solar spectrum: 700, 655, 610, 575, 500, 445 and 400 mµ. The energy reaching the earth's surface for these wave bands was found to follow the law. However, an analysis of the results showed considerable variability in the transmission coefficients even on clear days. This indicates that daily variations in the atmospheric constituents, presumably in the aerosal content, induces a real difference in light quality. When precise estimates of the spectral properties of solar energy are required by biologists, it will be necessary to obtain direct measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri-Columbia, USA

    A. K. Mahapatra (Professor of Atmospheric Science, Director)

  2. Science Division, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India

    A. K. Mahapatra (Professor of Atmospheric Science, Director)

Authors
  1. W. L. Decker
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  2. A. K. Mahapatra
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Additional information

Journal Paper Number 6903, Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.

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Decker, W.L., Mahapatra, A.K. Estimates of atmospheric attenuation of solar radiation at specific wave lengths. Int J Biometeorol 19, 14–20 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01459836

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01459836

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