Assessment of the impact of increased solar ultraviolet radiation upon marine ecosystems

Data was provided to assess the potential impact upon marine ecosystems if space shuttle operations contribute to a reduction of the stratospheric ozone layer. The potential for irreversible damage to the productivity, structure and/or functioning of a model estuarine ecosystem by increased UV-B radiation was established. The sensitivity of key community components (the primary producers) to increased UV-B radiation was delineated

Effects of enhanced mid-ultraviolet radiation (290-315 NM) on development and survival of Boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas) tadpoles

More than 3700 fertilized toad eggs were used in a series of studies designed to determine the effects of UV-B radiation (290- 315 nm) on temporal developmental patterns, systematic development and viability prior to metamorphic climax. The eggs were exposed to radiation from either "white-light" fluorescent lamps (Vita-Lite, Duro-Test Corporation, North Bergen, New Jersey) or "white-light" fluorescent lamps plus fluorescent sunlamps (Westinghouse- FS40). Several radiation exposure schedules were utilized (chronic or varied, daily exposures) and, in all but one study, filters were utilized - Kodacel cut-off filters to transmit wavelengths longer than 290 nm and Mylar cut-off filters to transmit wavelengths longer than 315 nm. These filters provided a transmission "window" in the UV-B region. Exposure of the developing tadpoles on a daily basis to eleven or more Sunburn Units of UV-B radiation per day resulted in the development of tadpole populations with lordotic posture, hyperplasia in the presumptive cornea and other dorsal epithelial tissue, increased pigmentation in the presumptive cornea, desquamation of areas of the dorsal surface, and increased mortality. Exposure of the tadpoles on a daily basis to 4.4 Sunburn Units of UV-B radiation per day resulted in a significant lengthening of the time periods required to achieve metamorphic climax. Biological photoreactivation of ultraviolet damage was demonstrable with three groups of tadpoles exposed to comparable daily exposures of UV-B radiation (11.0 Sunburn Units per day) at a comparable rate (1.1 Sunburn Units per hour) from similar sources. The critical differences between the groups was the duration of exposure to UV-A and visible radiation (0, 2 and 4 hours) following the termination of the UV-B exposure

Effects of UV radiation on aquatic ecosystems and interactions with climate change

The health of freshwater and marine ecosystems is critical to life on Earth. The impact of solar UV-B radiation is one potential stress factor that can have a negative impact on the health of certain species within these ecosystems. Although there is a paucity of data and information regarding the effect of UV-B radiation on total ecosystem structure and function, several recent studies have addressed the effects on various species within each trophic level. Climate change, acid deposition, and changes in other anthropogenic stressors such as pollutants alter UV exposure levels in inland and coastal marine waters. These factors potentially have important consequences for a variety of aquatic organisms including waterborne human pathogens. Recent results have demonstrated the negative impacts of exposure to UV-B radiation on primary producers, including effects on cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, macroalgae and aquatic plants. UV-B radiation is an environmental stressor for many aquatic consumers, including zooplankton, crustaceans, amphibians, fish, and corals. Many aquatic producers and consumers rely on avoidance strategies, repair mechanisms and the synthesis of UV-absorbing substances for protection. However, there has been relatively little information generated regarding the impact of solar UV-B radiation on species composition within natural ecosystems or on the interaction of organisms between trophic levels within those ecosystems. There remains the question as to whether a decrease in population size of the more sensitive primary producers would be compensated for by an increase in the population size of more tolerant species, and therefore whether there would be a net negative impact on the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by these ecosystems. Another question is whether there would be a significant impact on the quantity and quality of nutrients cycling through the food web, including the generation of food proteins for humans. Interactive effects of UV radiation with changes in other stressors, including climate change and pollutants, are likely to be particularly important.Fil: Häder, D. P.. No especifíca;Fil: Helbling, Eduardo Walter. Fundación Playa Unión. Estación de Fotobiología Playa Unión; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Williamson, C. E.. Miami University; Estados UnidosFil: Worrest, R. C.. No especifíca

Effects of UV radiation on aquatic ecosystems and interactions with other environmental factors

Interactions between climate change and UV radiation are having strong effects on aquatic ecosystems due to feedback between temperature, UV radiation, and greenhouse gas concentration. Higher air temperatures and incoming solar radiation are increasing the surface water temperatures of lakes and oceans, with many large lakes warming at twice the rate of regional air temperatures. Warmer oceans are changing habitats and the species composition of many marine ecosystems. For some, such as corals, the temperatures may become too high. Temperature differences between surface and deep waters are becoming greater. This increase in thermal stratification makes the surface layers shallower and leads to stronger barriers to upward mixing of nutrients necessary for photosynthesis. This also results in exposure to higher levels of UV radiation of surface-dwelling organisms. In polar and alpine regions decreases in the duration and amount of snow and ice cover on lakes and oceans are also increasing exposure to UV radiation. In contrast, in lakes and coastal oceans the concentration and colour of UV-absorbing dissolved organic matter (DOM) from terrestrial ecosystems is increasing with greater runoff from higher precipitation and more frequent extreme storms. DOM thus creates a refuge from UV radiation that can enable UV-sensitive species to become established. At the same time, decreased UV radiation in such surface waters reduces the capacity of solar UV radiation to inactivate viruses and other pathogens and parasites, and increases the difficulty and price of purifying drinking water for municipal supplies. Solar UV radiation breaks down the DOM, making it more available for microbial processing, resulting in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In addition to screening solar irradiance, DOM, when sunlit in surface water, can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increases in carbon dioxide are in turn acidifying the oceans and inhibiting the ability of many marine organisms to form UV-absorbing exoskeletons. Many aquatic organisms use adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of solar UV-B radiation (280–315 nm), including vertical migration, crust formation, synthesis of UV-absorbing substances, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic quenching of ROS. Whether or not genetic adaptation to changes in the abiotic factors plays a role in mitigating stress and damage has not been determined. This assessment addresses how our knowledge of the interactive effects of UV radiation and climate change factors on aquatic ecosystems has advanced in the past four years.Fil: Häder, Donat P.. Universitat Erlangen-Nuremberg; AlemaniaFil: Williamson, Craig E.. Miami University; Estados UnidosFil: Wängberg, Sten Åke. University of Gothenburg. Department of Biological and Environmental Science; SueciaFil: Rautio, Milla. Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. Département des Sciences Fondamentales and Centre for Northern Studies; CanadáFil: Rose, Kevin C.. University Of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Gao, Kunshan. Xiamen University. State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science; ChinaFil: Helbling, Eduardo Walter. Fundación Playa Unión. Estación de Fotobiología Playa Unión; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Sinha, Rajeshwar P.. Banaras Hindu University. Centre of Advanced Study in Botany; IndiaFil: Worrest, Robert. Columbia University; Estados Unido

Response of estuarine diatom assemblages to ultraviolet-B radiation (290-320 nm)

Artificial substrates colonized by diatoms from Yaquina Estuary, Oregon, were exposed to solar visible radiation and three levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV-B, 290-320 nm). Flow-through microcosms were constructed inside a glasshouse to serve as chambers for the artificial substrates. The artificial substrates were sampled during three spring/summer experiments. Chlorophyll a concentration, biomass (ash-free dry weight), primary productivity (radiocarbon uptake), and community composition were the parameters measured biweekly for each four-week experimental period. The results indicated that daily exposure to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation was associated with a decrease in species diversity of benthic diatom assemblages during all experiments after four weeks of growth. However, changes in taxonomic structure were not accompanied by a significant depression in chlorophyll a concentration, biomass, or radiocarbon uptake. In fact, in some experiments enhanced levels of UV-B radiation appeared to have a stimulatory effect on the latter parameters

Solar Radiation and Tidal Exposure as Environmental Drivers of Enhalus acoroides Dominated Seagrass Meadows

There is strong evidence of a global long-term decline in seagrass meadows that is widely attributed to anthropogenic activity. Yet in many regions, attributing these changes to actual activities is difficult, as there exists limited understanding of the natural processes that can influence these valuable ecosystem service providers. Being able to separate natural from anthropogenic causes of seagrass change is important for developing strategies that effectively mitigate and manage anthropogenic impacts on seagrass, and promote coastal ecosystems resilient to future environmental change. The present study investigated the influence of environmental and climate related factors on seagrass biomass in a large ≈250 ha meadow in tropical north east Australia. Annual monitoring of the intertidal Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle seagrass meadow over eleven years revealed a declining trend in above-ground biomass (54% significant overall reduction from 2000 to 2010). Partial Least Squares Regression found this reduction to be significantly and negatively correlated with tidal exposure, and significantly and negatively correlated with the amount of solar radiation. This study documents how natural long-term tidal variability can influence long-term seagrass dynamics. Exposure to desiccation, high UV, and daytime temperature regimes are discussed as the likely mechanisms for the action of these factors in causing this decline. The results emphasise the importance of understanding and assessing natural environmentally-driven change when interpreting the results of seagrass monitoring programs

Ozone depletion, ultraviolet radiation, climate change and prospects for a sustainable future

Changes in stratospheric ozone and climate over the past 40-plus years have altered the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation conditions at the Earth's surface. Ozone depletion has also contributed to climate change across the Southern Hemisphere. These changes are interacting in complex ways to affect human health, food and water security, and ecosystem services. Many adverse effects of high UV exposure have been avoided thanks to the Montreal Protocol with its Amendments and Adjustments, which have effectively controlled the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. This international treaty has also played an important role in mitigating climate change. Climate change is modifying UV exposure and affecting how people and ecosystems respond to UV; these effects will become more pronounced in the future. The interactions between stratospheric ozone, climate and UV radiation will therefore shift over time; however, the Montreal Protocol will continue to have far-reaching benefits for human well-being and environmental sustainability.Peer reviewe

Grazing Rates of Calanus finmarchicus on Thalassiosira weissflogii Cultured under Different Levels of Ultraviolet Radiation

UVB alters photosynthetic rate, fatty acid profiles and morphological characteristics of phytoplankton. Copepods, important grazers of primary production, select algal cells based upon their size, morphological traits, nutritional status, and motility. We investigated the grazing rates of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus on the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii cultured under 3 levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR): photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) only (4 kJ-m−2/day), and PAR supplemented with UVR radiation at two intensities (24 kJ-m−2/day and 48 kJ-m−2/day). There was no significant difference in grazing rates between the PAR only treatment and the lower UVR treatment. However, grazing rates were significantly (∼66%) higher for copepods feeding on cells treated with the higher level of UVR. These results suggest that a short-term increase in UVR exposure results in a significant increase in the grazing rate of copepods and, thereby, potentially alters the flow rate of organic matter through this component of the ecosystem

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change : UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

Peer reviewe