An investigation of total solar ultraviolet radiation at Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Solar ultraviolet radiation has adverse effects on human health, terrestrial ecosystem and biogeochemical cycles. In this work, solar ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength band of 290-385 nm or total ultraviolet radiation (TUV) was measured at Nakhon Pathom (13.82°N 100.04°E, 30 m above mean sea level), Thailand. A 10-year period (2001- 2010) of TUV data obtained from this measurement was analyzed. The dose rate diurnal variation shows the maximum dose rate at local noon time with the highest peak value in April. For the seasonal variation, the monthly average TUV daily dose increases from January to reach the maximum in April, then gradually decreases to the minimum in December. It is found that the tropical monsoon has a strong influence on the seasonal variation of TUV at Nakhon Pathom.