condensed over a short period. 



Bruce Chalker noted that many tropical organisms protect themselves from UV-B 

 with mycosporine-1 ike amino acids which absorb strongly in the UV-B region. 

 Chalker urged that Antarctic organisms be tested for the presence of UV-absorbing 

 compounds. Because organisms may synthesize UV-absorbing compounds only when 

 needed, he suggested that organisms be preconditioned on ecologically appropriate 

 time scales when conducting UV-enhancement experiments. 



Frederick's calculations indicate that UV-B levels over Antarctica have not yet 

 exceeded those in the United States; Antarctic personnel are therefore not 

 presently at particular risk. The United States Antarctic Program will monitor 

 UV radiation beginning in 1988, and a panel of experts will be assembled to 

 evaluate the health and biological consequences of the data. Hugh Taylor advised 

 that Antarctic personnel obtain and use sunglasses coated with a compound that 

 absorbs 100% of wavelengths below 400 nm. Because sunglasses are not uniformly 

 labelled, he urged that sunglasses be purchased from a knowledgeable source such 

 as an optometrist. 



Caldwell led a tutorial and discussion on UV lights, filters, and measurements 

 for use in biological research. His presentation drew on the following 

 reference: Caldwell, M.M., W.G. Gold, G. Harris and C.W. Ashurst, 1983; A 

 modulated lamp system for solar UV-B (280-320 nm) supplementation studies in the 

 field (Photochem. Photobiol. 37: 479-485). Caldwell stressed that it is 

 exceedingly difficult to mimic solar UV with artificial light sources and to 

 accurately measure UV dose. To ensure meaningful and reproducible results, an 

 experienced photobiologist should be consulted before conducting UV research. 

 Participants agreed that efforts should be made to establish a standard protocol 

 for UV lights, filters and measurements; lack of standardization has made it 

 difficult and sometimes impossible to compare results from different studies. 



Participants agreed that the first priority for Antarctic biological UV research 

 should be to evaluate the consequences of enhanced UV-B for marine phytoplankton, 

 since the marine ecosystem accounts for most Antarctic production and 

 phytoplankton form the base of the marine food chain. Because water movements 

 prevent long-term monitoring of the same water mass, another priority should be 

 the establishment of terrestrial plots to monitor the effect of UV-B changes 

 within and between years. 



Participants concurred that it is essential to monitor Antarctic UV-B radiation 

 with wavelength-specific equipment and applauded the United States Antarctic 

 Program for establishing a UV monitoring network. They also unanimously agreed 

 that a similar program should be instituted for monitoring UV radiation within 

 the United States and in other countries. NOAA has been monitoring UV radiation 

 with Robertson-Berger meters since 1974. Participants agreed that these sensors, 

 which integrate dose over 290-330 nm and are biased towards wavelengths which are 

 not strongly absorbed by ozone, should be replaced with spectroradiometers such 

 as those used for the United States Antarctic Program. Participants urged that 

 the Robertson-Berger network be continued until new and better equipment is in 

 place. 



