Maximum UV Index Records (2010–2014) in Quito (Ecuador) and Its Trend Inferred from Remote Sensing Data (1979–2018)
Abstract
:1. Introduction
- The maximum UVI levels measured in Quito and their dynamics during the yearly cycle.
- The UVI trend from 1979 to 2018.
- Why it is necessary to have a self-warning system in Quito.
1.1. UV Index Monitoring in Quito
1.2. The TEMIS UV Index Dataset
2. Method and Results
2.1. Local solar noontime and UV index records in Quito
2.2. UV Index Records Versus TEMIS Dataset
2.3. Processes Affecting UV Index
- The variation of distance between the Earth and the Sun, and the solar declination angle. We used the approach and parameters suggested by Stull [24]. The Sun–Earth distance varies between 147.0 (3 January) and 152.0 Gigameters (Gm) (5 July). The Earth is closest to the Sun during the perihelion (3 January, distance of 147 Gm) (Figure 9a). During the equinox of March, the distance increases to 148.9 Gm. The maximum distance (152 Gm) takes place at the aphelion (4 July). During the September equinox, the distance decreases to 150 Gm. Hence, the Earth is 1.1 Gm closer to the Sun during the March equinox, in comparison with the September equinox.
- The solar radiation flux on the external layer of the atmosphere, during the March and September equinoxes, was calculated by using the parameters suggested by Stull [24]. The solar radiation flux during the March equinox (1381.5 W m−2) is 1.6% larger than the flux during the September equinox (1360.4 W m−2).
- The declination angle, which corresponds to the angle formed between the ecliptic plane (Earth’s orbit around the Sun) and the equatorial plane of the Earth) (Figure 9b). This angle is 0° during the March and September equinoxes, when the solar radiation reaches the equatorial zone perpendicularly.
- Monthly rainfall during 2010 to 2014 in Central–Northern Quito. We processed the hourly records from the Belisario air-quality station. In Quito, typically during the yearly cycle, there is a defined pattern of rainfall. The first rainy period takes place from March to May. Although with smaller intensity, a second rainy period happens during October to November. Between June and September, there is a period with little rain. This behavior is presented in Figure 9c, which indicates the monthly values of rainfall during 2010 to 2014, measured in the Belisario station (Central–Northern Quito). During March to April, typically the rainiest months, clouds are common. On the contrary, during August and September, months with less rainfall, there are more non-clouded or partially clouded days.
- From the MSR-2 dataset [18], we extracted the daily values of the total O3 column of Quito, for the period 2010–2014. The daily total O3 column during March and September varied between 248.3 ± 15.2 DU (mean ± 2SD) (Dobson Unit, one DU corresponds to the number of O3 molecules required to create a layer of pure O3 0.01 mm thick at a temperature of 0 °C and a pressure of 1 atm [25]), and 267.9 ± 14.7 DU, respectively (Figure 9d), according to the information from TEMIS [18]. There was only one instance where total O3 column values in 2010–2014 fell below 220.0 DU, which occurred between 2 and 9 February 2010 and reached a minimum of 216.9 DU on 5 February 2010.
3. Discussion
- The Earth is 1.1 Gm closer to the Sun during the March equinox, in comparison with the September equinox. As a consequence, the flux of solar radiation during the March equinox (1381.5 W m−2) is 1.6% larger than the flux during the September equinox (1360.4 W m−2). Hence, the UV flux at the external layer of the atmosphere in March is larger than in September.
- On average, during 1979 to 2018, the total O3 column in March and September varied between 248.5 ± 15.4 DU and 264.1 ± 17.1 DU, respectively. The lower O3 abundance during March allowed more UV to reach the surface in comparison with September.
4. Conclusions and Summary
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Date | Local Solar Noontime | UV Index Record at Local Solar Noontime | UV Index Record (Mean Values during 30 min Centered on Local Solar Noontime) | Total O3 Column [18] (DU) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 February 2010 | 12:27 | 21.3 | 21.3 | 218.1 |
15 March 2012 | 12:22 | 19.9 | 19.7 | 244.1 |
12 March 2012 | 12:23 | 18.2 | 19.6 | 239.8 |
2 April 2010 | 12:17 | 19.6 | 19.6 | 235.4 |
22 February 2010 | 12:27 | 19.8 | 19.5 | 225.8 |
20 January 2010 | 12:25 | 19.4 | 19.4 | 230.1 |
18 February 2012 | 12:27 | 18.8 | 19.1 | 241.1 |
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Parra, R.; Cadena, E.; Flores, C. Maximum UV Index Records (2010–2014) in Quito (Ecuador) and Its Trend Inferred from Remote Sensing Data (1979–2018). Atmosphere 2019, 10, 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10120787
Parra R, Cadena E, Flores C. Maximum UV Index Records (2010–2014) in Quito (Ecuador) and Its Trend Inferred from Remote Sensing Data (1979–2018). Atmosphere. 2019; 10(12):787. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10120787
Chicago/Turabian StyleParra, René, Eliana Cadena, and Camila Flores. 2019. "Maximum UV Index Records (2010–2014) in Quito (Ecuador) and Its Trend Inferred from Remote Sensing Data (1979–2018)" Atmosphere 10, no. 12: 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10120787
APA StyleParra, R., Cadena, E., & Flores, C. (2019). Maximum UV Index Records (2010–2014) in Quito (Ecuador) and Its Trend Inferred from Remote Sensing Data (1979–2018). Atmosphere, 10(12), 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10120787