288 
violet radiation climate [10, 37, 57, 84] m a spectral 
range distinguished by a number of biological effects 
such as the formation of erythema, the formation of 
vitamin D, and bactericidal effects. Radiation mten- 
sities in the ultraviolet range of the solar spectrum 
are highly variable from wave length to wave length; 
however, the ozone measurements can entirely account 
for these variations in intensity. Our present-day knowl- 
edge concerning ozone amount is sufficient to allow 
us to estimate the imeidence of ultraviolet over the 
entire earth. Without the ozone layer, sunburn would 
easily be fifty times as effective as it is during the 
highest sun’s elevation durmg summer in high moun- 
tains. On the other hand, an increase in the ozone screen 
would completely eliminate the stimulating radiation, 
that, in proper dosage, is essential to life, and would 
leave us in biological darkness. Therefore it is probably 
significant if, as Fig. 8 would indicate, the ozone 
amount increases over a period of years while the ultra- 
violet radiation decreases. The zoologist Rowan [88] has 
recently raised the question as to whether such fluc- 
tuations may not provide an explanation for the ten- 
year cycle in the abundance of certain species among 
the Canadian fauna. Equally stimulating from the bio- 
climatological viewpoint are speculations as to whether 
the protective effect of the ozone layer has undergone 
changes during the development of the earth. For a 
mature oxygen planet such as Mars, the photochemical 
equilibrium layer must rest on the ground, a fact which 
would substantiate the explanation of the red discolor- 
ation of extended portions of the surface of Mars [102]. 
This oxidizing effect leads us, finally, to the ground- 
level ozone of the earth’s biosphere. G6tz and Laden- 
burg [44] have emphasized the desirability of investigat- 
ing any possible direct influences of ozone on the human 
body. As E. Regener has pointed out, ozone bioclima- 
tologically plays the important role of an air purifier 
[82]. It may even be said that it is ozone which char- 
acterizes “living air.” The physician Curry [18] draws 
very extensive conclusions concerning the effect of 
ozone, and in general, of active forms of atmospheric 
oxygen on the human body. Even though these asser- 
tions have aroused much interest in this problem, they 
have not yet been substantiated by the use of rigorous 
statistical methods. 
CONCLUSION 
If we consider the results obtained thus far, the data 
concerning ozone amount appear the most reliable. Of 
course, the observation network is still not sufficiently 
dense, particularly in the region of large vortices. It has 
justly been pointed out that the present state of synop- 
tic meteorology would leave much to be desired if it 
were dependent on a dozen barometers distributed over 
the entire earth! The continuous series of observations 
which were started at several locations must be carried 
on for prolonged periods of time because secular fluctu- 
ations reflect long-term changes in atmospheric circula- 
tion. The most interesting annual curve of ozone amount 
was observed in Tromso, a fact which urgently suggests 
THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE 
that the observation network be extended to the polar 
regions proper, such as Spitsbergen, for example.’ 
Since the ozone problem is fundamentally a flow 
problem, ozone amount must also be observed con- 
tinuously im the third dimension. Information now 
available concerning the vertical distribution of ozone 
is far from adequate and, above all, much too dis- 
connected. Vertical ozone distribution, together with 
information concerning water vapor, could be exploited 
directly in connection with forecasting and would pro- 
vide the material necessary for approaching the problem 
of radiation flow. Perhaps it is a desire for more simple 
and less expensive apparatus which is discouraging 
meteorologists from attempting large-scale experiments? 
Stratosphere flights and V-2 rockets are rare opportuni- 
ties. The Umkehr-effect method could be refined con- 
siderably if 1t were supplemented by ozone determina- 
tions in the lower ten kilometers by flight measurements 
—if one does not expect to measure the Umkehr effect 
contiuously from meteorological aircraft at cloud-free 
altitudes. Perfection of the radiosonde should meet with 
no further fundamental difficulties. 
It is fascmating to observe how ozone pulsates 
through the atmosphere like blood circulatmg in an 
organism. Ozone is created by radiation in high-altitude 
layers. Primarily at the shadow boundary of the polar 
night, and at the altitude of the warm layer, it pro- 
duces the temperature contrasts and resulting polar 
vortices which enable it to sink as a secondary layer 
down to the theater of meteorological activity. And 
finally, diffusing to the vicmity of ground level, the 
ozone re-enters the oxygen metabolism. Much work 
remains to be done before this sketchy picture is com- 
pleted and verified by observation. 
This task requires ever-increasing international co- 
operation. It would be appropriate to pool all available 
tools (apparatus as well as observers, including other 
aerological methods) durmg international ozone weeks 
and to distribute them over suitable regions. Inter- 
national cooperation has indeed always been exemplary 
in the ozone field. Typical single cases could then be 
treated in a united effort which would help us in a deci- 
sive manner to push forward to the last meteorological 
consequences. 
REFERENCES 
1. Apex, A., and Lampnanp, C. O., ‘‘Atmospherie Absorp- 
tion of Infrared Solar Radiation at the Lowell Observa- 
tory.’’ Astrophys. J., 91: 481-487 (1940). 
2. Aumr, R., ‘“‘Ueber den tiglichen Gang des Ozongehalts 
der bodennahen Luft.’ Beitr. Geophys., 54: 137-145 
(1939). 
3. Barsirr, D., et CHatonen, D., “‘Recherches sur l’ozone 
atmosphérique.” J. Phys. Radiwm(7) 10:113-123 (1939). 
3. (Added in press.) In the ozone network of the Inter- 
national Ozone Commission arrangements have been made for 
daily measurements at Tromsé or Spitsbergen, Norfolk, Corn- 
wall, Oxford, Uppsala, Oslo, Trappes, Arosa, and in the Shet- 
land Islands, Northern Ireland, the Azores, Iceland, and 
outside Hurope in Canada, the United States, India, and New 
Zealand. 
