Evaluation of DNA dosimetry to assess ozone-mediated variability of biologically harmful radiation in Antarctica

George, Alison L.; Peat, Helen J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2017-8597; Buma, Anita G.J.. 2002 Evaluation of DNA dosimetry to assess ozone-mediated variability of biologically harmful radiation in Antarctica. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 76 (3). 274-280. https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2002)076<0274:EODDTA>2.0.CO;2

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Abstract/Summary

In this study we investigated the use of a DNA dosimeter to accurately measure changes in ultraviolet B radiation (UVBR; 280-315 nm) under Antarctic ozone hole conditions. Naked DNA solution in quartz tubes was exposed to ambient solar radiation at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica, between October and December 1998 for 3 h during UVBR peak hours (1200-1500 h). Trends in UVBR-mediated DNA damage (formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers [CPD]) were related to cloud cover, ozone-column depth and spectroradiometric measurements of ambient radiation. Ozone-column depths ranged from 130 to 375 DU during the study period, resulting in highly variable UVBR doses, from 1.6 to 137 kJ m(-2) over the 3 h exposure, as measured by spectro-radiometry. There was a strong positive correlation (86%) between dosimeter CPD concentrations and DNA-weighted UVBR doses. Ozone depth was a strong predictor of DNA damage (63%), and there was no significant relationship between CPD formation and cloud cover. Subtle changes in spectral characteristics caused by ozone depletion were detected by the biodosimeter; the highest CPD concentrations were observed in October when ozone-mediated shifts favored shorter wavelengths of UVBR. We conclude that the DNA biodosimeter is an accurate indicator of biologically effective UVBR, even under highly variable ozone conditions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2002)076<0274:EODDTA>2.0.CO;2
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISSN:	0031-8655
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology Chemistry Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	15 Nov 2011 11:48 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13386

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