Table of Contents
Advertisement
16-10-200716-10-2007
1. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
1
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The Brewer Spectrophotometer is a scientific instrument which measures Ultra Violet, or Visible,
radiation in the solar spectrum. By examining the differential absorption of select wavelengths in the
UVB portion of the spectrum, determinations of Total Column Ozone and Total Column Sulpher
Dioxide are inferred. In addition, especially with the MKIII double monochromator instrument,
accurate spectral intensity profiles of UV radiation in the 286.5 nm to 363 nm range are measured.
The the MKIV instrument measures intensity of radiation in the visible part of the spectrum (430-
450nm) and uses differential absorption in this region to infer Total Column Nitrogen Dioxide.
It is well recognized by the scientific community that marked fluctuations in atmospheric Ozone and
Sulphur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are linked to a variety of adverse
environmental conditions. The ozone layer, which shields the Earth from the harmful effects of
solar ultraviolet radiation, is believed to be vulnerable to attack by fluorocarbons and other effluents.
Many scientists fear its depletion may irreversibly alter world climatic patterns.
Atmospheric sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are closely associated with the 'acid rain'
phenomenon which, like ozone depletion, has implications for the global environment.
Today's concern over the vulnerability of the ozone layer to destruction by atmospheric pollutants
has increased the demand for high-quality, globally-distributed, total Ozone and UV Spectral
measurements from a ground-based network of instrumentation. Since the early 1980's, the
Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada (AES) has conducted the development
of the Brewer Spectrophotometer for the purpose of supplementing instrumentation in the World
Ozone Network. Though the Dobson instrument has served its purpose well since the 1930's, the
Brewer Spectrophotometer is today becoming the instrument of choice for researchers studying
Ozone, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and UV radiation.
At the request of the World Meteorological Organization, AES has endeavored to make the Brewer
Spectrophotometer commercially available to the international scientific community. The instrument
and its accompanying accessories are manufactured and marketed under license by KIPP &
ZONEN B.V., Delft, The Netherlands. As of 1998, more than 80 Brewer instruments have been
incorporated into the World Ozone Network and measurements are currently being taken at
research establishments in more than thirty different countries.
MKIV OPERATOR'S MANUAL
7
Advertisement
Table of Contents
